Reckless Abandon : The New Moon in Sagittarius
Restore us to memory
As the new ones begin to stir
We continue to kindle the hearth
To preserve the flame
For we are forged from stardust
The light of the heavens -
We are filled by ancient cultures
Who lifted their eyes beyond.
We are the constellations.
The Cosmic Sea
- Karin A. Larsen -
The New Moon in Sagittarius is a bow pulled taut, it’s arrow not seen, but its point aimed at the distant horizon. For some the October New Moon in Libra marked Lunar Samhain while for others (like myself) it’s the New Moon in Scorpio which is Samhain’s Moon. For me, tonight marks the end of the lingering season of Samhain as Sagittarian energy pulls us towards the dark of winter with an archer’s precision and focus.
New Moon Sagittarian energy is recklessly bold. It’s not necessarily the best time to try and make big commitments, but to experiment with and try new things while the night holds sway over the year. Witches and other magickal beings have long understood the power of the dark. We can change forms more readily, move unwatched, and pull away from the glare of the scrutiny of our day lives. We have the opportunity to become more ourselves without the expectations of others cutting up our flow (work started at the New Moon in Libra).
Photo by Raul Petri
There’s a real optimistic streak to the New Moon in Sagittarius. We’re reminded to be playful and flexible in our mindsets in order to bring about healing. A healer’s purpose is to not only to help provide physical relief to their clients, but to help those they serve ask the question, “What if?”
What if I put my healing first?
What if I said no to people who are emotionally draining?
What if I said yes more?
What if I allowed myself to imagine a life that I love?
What if? What if?
I’ve experienced it again and again in my practice where I ask, “But what if…” and there’s a sudden - sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle - shift in the person to whom I’m asking the question. And that’s when the adventure of healing really begins.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Plant Ally of the New Moon in Sagittarius
One of the greatest gifts of Dandelion to heal is through its ability to help vitality move freely through the body. The primary way that the herb accomplishes this is by clearing the blood of toxins and waste material. Dandelion has a tonic effect on the blood, lymph system, and liver, helping to detoxify all three and improve the eliminatory qualities of the liver and gallbladder. Part of its blood purifying qualities comes from its high nutritive salt contents which cleans the blood and clears excess acid. Nicholas Culpeper writes in his Herbal that Dandelion “is under the dominion of Jupiter. It is of an opening and cleansing quality, and therefore very effectual for the obstructions of the liver, gall and spleen, and the diseases that arise from them, as the jaundice, and hypochondriac.”
One of the indications that Dandelion might be useful for a client (and one of the ways that it shows its Sagittarian connections) is that symptoms improve with movement - such as through massage or gentle exercise. I love Dandelion’s ability to help us rewire us from a state of survival (where we rarely ask a what if question that is for our benefit) to one of thriving (where we’re always curious about what the future might hold). Magickally, Dandelion has become a modern symbol of revolution, resistance, and transformation (how very Sagittarian!). Incorporate it into your protest and march magick as well as other activism related pursuits.
Flower + Gem Essences for the New Moon of Sagittarius: Peach (Prunus persica), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Yellow Flag Flower (Patersonia xanthina), Zinnia (Zinnia elegan), Chrysocolla, Moonstone, Peacock Ore.
Essential Oils of Sagittarius: Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Marjoram (Origanum majorana), Nutmeg, Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Pine (Pinus sylvestris).
Photo by Andrew Robinson
The Ritual of Dangerous Questions
As healers and magick makers we not only provide relief and refuge to our communities, but we ask dangerous questions that challenge cultural norms. We ask what would happen if Black lives mattered. What would change if womxn’s stories of sexual harassment and abuse were taken seriously from the start. What would happen if the rights of the environment were considered along with the rights of people and creatures. To be able to ask dangerous questions on a cultural level, which change minds and shift narratives, we also need to know how to ask them on a personal level.
For this ritual you will need a candle as well as a pen and paper. Begin in a sacred way (read the New Moon in Aquarius post for further inspiration). Place the candle before you and before you light it say:
Questions hidden
Wisdom hidden
Then light the candle and say:
Questions asked
Wisdom known
Bring yourself to a meditative state where your mind is soft, your body comfortable, and your heart curious. Ask yourself, “What if?” Observe what follows. It might be a flurry of questions. It might be silence with a very tentative voice asking something in the background. After a few moments choose a few what if questions that came up for you - especially the ones that feel a mix of scary and exciting - and write them down. You can then free write under each question, continue to meditate with them, get up and dance with your question or whatever else feels good to you. Indulge your curiosity and the healing power it possesses.
When done with your ritual either let your candle burn out (if there is any left) or blow it out with the intention of lighting it again when you’re feeling resistance to asking “What if?” again in your life.
The World Spirit Tarot
Oracle
With a divinatory tool of your choosing ask the following question. You can also ponder it during meditation or through journaling.
What if I acted with reckless abandon?
Additional queries to consider:
- What problems have I been running from?
- Where am I most distracted in my life?
Tarot Cards of Sagittarius
Every card within the tarot deck has an astrological association. The following correspondences follow the system laid out by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. You can add these cards to your altar as part of your New Moon in Sagittarius magick or use them in readings to help with determining celestial influence or timing (i.e. this will come to pass at when the Moon is in Sagittarius).
- The Sign of Sagittarius: Temperance
- Mercury in Sagittarius: Eight of Wands
- Moon in Sagittarius: Nine of Wands
- Saturn in Sagittarius: Ten of Wands
- The Fire Signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius: Ace of Wands
Find all of the New Moon Healers Project posts right over here. Be sure to share your insights and experiences in the comments below or via instagram with the tag #NewMoonHealersProject.
Need more astroherbology in your life? You can learn more about the astroherbology of Sagittarius by reading my in-depth profile on the sign. Check out the magick of each phase of the Moon. For those of you ready to learn how to live your magick and create your herbal remedies by the cycle of Moon and star, you're invited to join the The Lunar Apothecary.
Blessed New Moon, wise healers.
May your healing be healing to us all.
May our healing be healing to you.
Blessed be! Blessed be! Blessed be!
