Journaling
The Sun and Moon Flow Through Me

As you move through this month’s lessons think about creating your own personal devotions and ways of honoring the Sun and the Moon. You could begin by brainstorming all the words that come to mind when you think of the Sun and the Moon. What emotions do those two words evoke? Use these are your framework around which to build your words of adoration. Use the cycle of the New-Full and Dark Moon to craft, build and then edit. Use the daily cycle of the Sun to begin each day with this practice- add to it at mid-day and review what has been written at the day’s end. Rest in the knowledge that each step of the process is drawing you deeper and nearer to Luna and Sol.

Meditation
In Contemplation of the Moon and the Sun

These brief meditations can be used at any time to strengthen your connection to the Moon and Sun. Begin with this simple format and then expand upon it as you become more familiar with the specific energies of each cycle and the Deity that you may be drawn to in their exploration. As with any endeavor, practice makes perfect, so consider incorporating an acknowledgement of the Lunar and Solar in your daily practice. Each time you connect in this way, the opening that occurs will inform all of your magickal/spiritual work and the greater mysteries will begin to reveal themselves.

Connecting To The MOON

At the next full moon, set aside some time where you will not be disturbed and sit outside under moonlight’s gaze. Quiet yourself and simply sit. Just as you would drink in the warming rays of the sun on a beautiful summer’s day, drink in the energies of luna’s downpour. As you sit, let her tell you her own stories and lore. Listen with the rapt attention of a child sitting and listening to a story wrapped in the embrace of a mother’s love. And, with just as much love, gaze upward into the face of the radiant moon.

Luna watches milky white
And veiling of soft embrace
Beams of light and truth become
Pools of wisdom and grace.

Illusion’s cunning mirror
And knowledge of inner flood gates
Beacon the seeker deep into
Watery depths where SHE awaits.

Filter and flow of celestial sight
Velvet darkness parting the way of
Expanse bowing to your Path of Surrender.

The veil parts
The portal opens
And ALL stand waiting
In anticipation of your
Sacred Kiss.

Connecting To The SUN

This series of meditations will serve to connect you to the energies present during the daily cycle of the Sun. It is ideal if you can be physically outside during these times, but if that is not possible, opening yourself to deeper connection and looking out a window can serve as well.

At Dawn:
Sit quietly and watch as the Sun rises in the East. This is the dawn of new beginnings. The time of potential and moving towards those goals and plans created to be made manifest as the strength and cycle of the sun increases. Feel its gentle, yet potent energy filling every cell of your being; enlivening and awakening you to the “possibilities”. Open to the newness of this energy, filled with hope and promise. The start of the day. The start of new experience. The Beginnings of spiritual resolve and strength.

At Noon:
Sitting out beneath the noon-day sun, open to the warmth; the heat; the strength that is uplifting.  This is the Sun at its peak. Full, strong, potent and having mastery over that which it has birthed from the Dawn. This is the place of looking in fully illumined light the outcome of your efforts and well laid plans. This is the space of greatest reflection back to you of what goals have succeeded and which have failed in their course. This is the time of revealing ALL so that adjustments and acknowledgement can be offered up. This is the space of courage and strength where nothing remains hidden under the all seeing eye of noon-day’s vision.

At Dusk:
Sitting in an energy that has opened you to potential and revealed the product of your effort, allow the setting of the Sun to bathe you in its power of mystery held within and final release of what must be transformed, and reborn within Dawn’s embrace. Think on the activities of the day. Feel the strength that has accumulated and the greater resolve you have gathered into your being simply by sending awareness to the cycle of the Sun. This is the time for rest and renewal. This is the time for movement into the dreamscape of the Lunar Waters. This is the time for return.

Be sure to record your experiences in your Book of Shadows.

Breathing

By now you should be in the habit of beginning each of your meditation sessions with the Four-Fold breath. You may also be using the grounding meditation regularly as well.

Another technique is Alternate Nostril Breathing. This aids in opening both of the pathways of energy that run concurrently in our bodies; specifically, the Lunar and the Solar. The Right Nostril is aligned to the Solar energies and the Left Nostril, that of the Lunar.

* The Technique: Alternate Nostril Breathing

Beginning with the right nostril, using your right thumb press the right nostril closed and inhale through the left – Hold.

Pinch the left nostril closed with the index finger and exhale through the right-Hold.

Inhale through the right nostril – hold. Pinch the right nostril closed with your thumb and exhale through the left.

Repeat the cycle of inhaling through one nostril. Pinching closed, then exhaling through the other. And so on. Repeat this pattern for 8 sets. When you have completed the cycle, you should feel a sense of clarity and energized calm. This exercise is an excellent way to begin your daily activities and your evening meditation practice.

Now, simply visualize the yellow flow of vibrant life sustaining energy as you breathe through the Right Nostril; this is the Solar energy. As you exhale and inhale through the Left Nostril visualize the cool healing energies of the Moon as breath moves in and out. The points of transition in alternating the nostrils are actually the place of union of the solar and lunar energies working in cohesion and synchronicity with one another.