FIRST DARK MOON OF 2024

The Waning Crescent now flows towards the first Dark Moon of the new Calendar Year, in Capricorn mid next week (January 11th in Australia). An explanation those that haven't followed me for long; to me the Moon is Dark when you can no longer see her illumination and thus she returns to her true form, and she is then New, when the first returning sickle shaped slither of new light is seen once more.

The January Dark Moon offers us an opportunity to sit in rest and surrender to the quiet stillness after the chaotic journey through the Festive Season of the year completed and then the excitement and often anxiety of NYE portal, some feeling the pressure to set solid goals. In Capricorn she gifts us the blessing of the Earths Embrace and instead of the striving material nature of Capricorn, the shadow asks us to release the doing, pushing, forcing energies and to sink into the velvety womb of the Mother and accept deep healing.

This is a time of deep contemplation, that allows us to reflect on the commencement of the New Calendar Year, and where we wish to flow forward with the new energies that are ready to unfold. To consider the seeds we wish to plant and nurture within the dark spaces ready to be infused with the new light as it returns again.

The Dark Moon is the true form of the Moon, with no light of her own, she is perfectly happy existing within her shadows and reminds us to reconnect with our own dark truths, to nourish our hidden aspects and remember that our darkness is just as vital as our light.

Embrace the energy of the Dark Rose, allow her luscious and nourishing petals to enfold you within their healing embrace, and let go fully into their depths.

Here are some Capricorn Correspondences to support your journey:

Capricorn Qualities to embody:

Loyalty Practicality Open Heartedness Responsibility Reliability Resourcefulness

Capricorn Correspondences:

Planet: Saturn Element: Earth Symbols: Sea Goat. Horned Goat. Cornucopia. Fauns, Satyrs. Sometimes Baphomet. House: 10th House: Career and Social Status Other Botanicals to utilise along with the Dark Rose: Calendula, Rosemary, Tarragon, Majoram, Chamomile, Comfrey, Lemonbalm, Pansy, African Violets. Tarot: The Devil. Queen Pentacles. Deities: Enki (Ea) Pan, Amalthea, Aristaeus.

If you wish for a Dark Rose deity association, I utilise Hekate who is deeply connected to the Dark Moon and who I work with regularly. Allow her energy to support you as you sink into the crossroads of change. Commune with her to seek the keys to the journey forward. Offer her supper, the Deipnon and petition her for her blessings and protection. Hekate is also associated with the Earth (Chthonia) and below the Earth, the Underworld (Khthonia) and goats:

Hesiod’s Theogony:

“She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. The droves of kine and wide herds of goats and flocks of fleecy sheep, if she will, she increases from a few, or makes many to be less. So, then albeit her mother’s only child, she is honoured amongst all the deathless gods. And the son of Cronos made her a nurse of the young who after that day saw with their eyes the light of all-seeing Dawn. So from the beginning she is a nurse of the young, and these are her honours.” (ll. 404-452)

Capricorn is also often considered to be the Gate of Death, as it is the last wordly sign of the Zodiac, followed by Otherworldly - Quirky Aquarius and Mystical Pisces. Ruled by Saturn planet of Time - Death and so with Death comes Rebirth... from the ashes of Death (change) we may rise upward. The opposite is Cancer, the Gate of Life (Sphere of the Soul). Through the gates of the little deaths we journey each lunar month with the Dark Moon and back into the light and illuminated possibilities.

On Thursday Night as the Moon flows Dark, my Online Temple of the Rose Goddesses commences and Hekate is just one of the powerful Goddesses we will be working with over the 11 weeks together, there is still time to join me to embrace the journey of the rose;

https://events.humanitix.com/sacred-rose-goddesses

Wishing you all deep magick for the journey to and through the Dark Moon.

With Love and Roses,

Juniper Rose

Sanctum of the Rose