We walk into the darkest nights, 
surrounded by the brightest stars.

This week, we have a beautiful pairing of the New Moon in Leo (Sunday) and Lion’s Gate (Thursday). 

The darkness of this New Moon in Leo invites us to reconnect with our deepest, restorative joy. This is a chance to pause one last time in Winter. How will we rest during this coming Moon cycle, before the energy of Spring begins to swell in September? 

And then later this week, we have the Galactic New Year, Lion’s Gate on Thursday the 8th. This is a portal of inspiration, wisdom, clearing and creative power that opens every year when the star Sirius reaches its closest point to Earth. 

You might remember our blog post on the Nilotic Meridian recently, joining us as we learned about the sacred Ley line White River sits upon, running from the pyramids in Egypt all the way down to our moving waters here. And now we have an additional layer to this story to share. 

The ancient Egyptians celebrated the Lion’s Gate portal each year for its power and magic. It also coincided with the rise and overflow of the Nile River, bringing an abundance of crops and fertility. The pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx were built in alignment with Sirius, Orion’s Belt, and the Sun during Lion’s Gate. It is said that the Great Sphinx holds open the portal, allowing light codes to rain down on Earth and transform humanity.

So, with all the intuitive invitation to tap into restorative starlight this week, directly linked to us here in White River via ley lines from the Sphinx – will you allow the darkest chambers of your heart the space and silence to speak with the stars?

Here are a few ideas to play with this week:

  • Read about this New Moon and what the themes for your sign are
  • Crystals you could hold during meditation or pop into your pocket this week are: Pyrite, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Yellow Jasper, Tiger’s Eye, Rose Quartz, and Sunstone
  • Colors to use or wear: Warm tones, such as yellows, soft reds and rich browns and golds
  • Scents to explore: Deep, comforting smells, such as rose, bergamot, frankincense, vanilla, cinnamon, sandalwood, clove
  • Get the digital New Moon + Lions Gate booklet from Spirit Daughter
  • Join Denise, BeJay and I on August 7th!
  • Join me at the open Creative Medicine Table at Hanya House every Monday at August from 09h15 to 11h00 for art, doodling, writing, poetry and community

Not sure what is in your chart? Look it up for free with Chani Nicholas.

xx Claire

—

Chilling heat of a distant star,
rays reaching towards a horizon no eyes have seen,
flying swiftly across darkened skies
with only crumbling moonlight to guide her.

She dreams of a home 
filled with creatures and claws,
a family of wild things
falling one by one back to the Earth, 
every passing raindrop
an ocean of salt and sorrow,
splashing 
all the pieces of her heart back into the soil,
watering spirits who will never see the sun.

C. Takahashi, 2024