Tomorrow night is the start of a new lunar cycle and our last new moon of 2021. A new moon occurs when the moon is placed between the sun and Earth, allowing us a glimpse of the moon’s shadow in what appears to us as a blank night sky. It’s a time of mysticism, and a reminder that the cyclical nature of life allows us repeated opportunities to start with a blank slate.
Spiritually, it’s recommended that you take time to rest and reset during this phase of the lunar cycle. Try to find some time tonight for contemplative meditation -- perhaps with the aid of our Go To Bed Evening Elixir — before settling in for a night of peace and relaxation. The new moon invites us to dive headfirst into reflection, so we can emerge again just as the moon always does; except now we’ll reappear brighter and lighter and more evolved.There’s no need to wait until the upcoming new year to embark on new beginnings; each new moon offers the ethereal opportunity to start anew.
There are a variety of traditions both ancient and modern that ritualize and honor new moons, and herbs are often a key tool in these ceremonies. This lunar cycle we are focusing on Elder, an herb that — similar to the new moon itself — symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings.
As you contemplate tonight’s sky, consider working with Elder in a way that honors and celebrates all the new moon has to offer. We have a few ideas for how you can incorporate Elder into your new moon ritual or celebration.
Ancient lore tells stories of how sleeping under an Elder plant on Midsummer’s Eve allows you a glimpse at Elder Mother and offers you an opportunity to explore the otherworld. It may not be Midsummer’s Eve, but we believe a new moon in this season offers the same energetic opportunity.
In lieu of sleeping under or with a fresh Elder plant, bring some dried elder into your bedroom and sleep with it in a pouch or sachet under your pillow. If dried plant material isn’t available to you, consider subscribing to our Plant of the Month boxes, which include a sample of the month’s featured herb. This month we’re spotlighting Elder, and recipients will receive a small sample of dried elder.
For tonight, however, you search online for photos or illustrations of Elder that resonate with you, and print them out to put near the area where you sleep.
One of the purest ways to experience herbs is with flower essences, which are made by infusing the energetics of a flower in water. More powerful flower essences – like the ones we make at Herbal Revolution — are also charged with the energy of the sun or the moon.
Supercharge your existing flower essences by speaking affirmations into a batch of flower essence and then placing it on your windowsill tonight. The liquid will collect and absorb tonight’s new moon energy. If you don’t have any flower essence on hand, you can do the same with a batch of water, which you can save to use for making an Elder flower essence in the future.
Even if you’re not an avid writer, capturing a small snippet of how you feel during this stage of the lunar cycle can be a rewarding experience to refer to and reflect back on later. If you don’t have a designated journal, use a piece of scrap paper that you can fold up and keep on your altar. Try using the below writing prompt:
Elder and the new moon share a common theme: rebirth. Imagine tomorrow is your first day in a completely new life. Who are you? Where do you wake up? How and with whom do you spend your days? What is your ultimate goal? What is it about this new life that’s different from the one you’re currently living?
If you find yourself awake for this weekend's new moon (happening tomorrow night / early the morning of Dec 4), we encourage you to peek out your window and share a small moment of gratitude for Elder, a plant ally who holds us and cares for us in perpetuity.
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