Finding connection in liminal spaces
Astro musings, lunar insights and the latest news from my corner of the cosmos...
As autumn begins to sweep in with its hushed golden tones, pockets of blue sky and gently spiralling leaves, I feel whispers of magick in the ether. I love this time of year, possibly because September is my birthday month, but more than that, I like to see and feel the shift in the seasons. The way the leaves of my staghorn tree (or sumac tree) slowly turn from lush green to burnt orange and ruby red remind me of the richness of the earth as well as the inevitability of change.
During this season of transition, we have an opportunity to shed what no longer fits. The sun has moved into Libra, the sign depicted by the scales, asking us to assess the balance in our lives and what is or isn’t needed to see us through the months ahead. As I embark on taking my astrology practice full time, which is very exciting but has meant shedding other commitments, change is calling in my world and I see these shifts reflected in the changing seasons.
During golden hour over the recent equinox, I had a wonderful opportunity to fly an owl at a bird of prey project. This was a belated birthday gift from my partner, who also happens to be an owl fan. We’ve flown owls before but that was a long time ago, and as we approached the centre, I felt excited about witnessing these magical creatures up close and personal once again. I can’t really explain why, but there is something about owls that fascinates me. It’s more than the fact they’re beautiful creatures. Their mysterious place in fairy tales and folklore has somehow ingrained itself in my imagination, as if these creatures might even symbolise portals to another realm. (My imagination really loves this idea!)
The visit did not disappoint. The owls were other worldly and being so close to these mystical birds did what these types of visits always do for me – take me out of the everyday and transport me to somewhere special.
I find these magical experiences imperative to my spiritual health, for my creativity to feel enlivened, for my soul to feel open to the mysteries of the cosmos and my heart to feel full. Sometimes when we are in a transient space in our lives, these little glimmers of inspiration can be exactly what is needed to nudge us into our next phase.
Right now, we are mid eclipse season. This time of shifting tides, with a lunar eclipse behind us and a solar eclipse ahead, is an opportunity to work with transformation. In this newsletter I explore the golden thread that weaves these two eclipses together, offer some journal prompts to complement the current energy, and bring you some news from my corner of the cosmos…
Lunar cycle check in
As we navigate a mercurial week in the heavens, let’s create an opportunity to pause and take stock. Between eclipses, we are in something of a liminal space, still integrating the first with the anticipation of the second. This part of the lunar cycle is a good time to slow down.
Our Piscean eclipse on the 17th/18th September (depending on your location) symbolised a letting go or culmination somewhere in our lives. The energy had a mystical quality to it, asking us to deep dive our intuition but to also keep one foot on the ground.
Whatever insights landed for you during this eclipse, invite them to be part of what guides you back to your heart centre for the new moon eclipse on 2nd October (happening 3rd October for my Australian subscribers). This eclipse, in the sign of Libra, reminds us of the balance in our relationships and will likely reveal where fresh energy is needed in this area. If we have worked with some element of release or realisation from the Pisces eclipse, this can help us be ready to welcome the Libra eclipse and the potential for new beginnings.
The current waning phase of the lunar cycle is associated with a time of reflection and meditation. This introspective energy can help us work in tandem with this mid eclipse season liminal space. This is the perfect time to breathe, connect inwardly, and maybe even start to join the cosmic dots.
Here are some simple journal prompts to help you on your way:
What am I shedding or releasing in my life right now?
What practices help me to stay connected to my intuition?
Where would I like to see fresh energy?
How can I create more balance in my life?
What am I grateful for in my world?
I like to think that working with journal prompts helps us to stay curious and connected within, so if you feel inclined, get your journal out and start scribbling!
For the astro lover in your life…
A large part of the work I do often involves collaborations (I am a Gemini rising after all) and I am delighted to have teamed up with Astro Chart designer Lottie Suki to create a gorgeous gift experience for astrology lovers.
The Astro Explore Gift Experience combines an online birth chart reading with me and an exquisitely designed birth chart by Lottie. This combination of a reading with a beautiful custom drawn astrology chart can help to inspire and connect the recipient to the magic of the cosmos for a lifetime. It’s a lovely gift for someone special or for yourself. For more info on this and my other offerings check out my website.
My first reads of autumn…
As shifts and changes take the fore, I’m re-reading The Witch’s Survival Guide by Green Witch Jennifer Lane. This is a hugely helpful book for those who want to embrace spells, rituals and elemental magick for dealing with the stress of modern life. I love how this book gently guides you through different ways of bringing magick into your world, especially breaking down how to work with the four elements in different ways. I highly recommend Jennifer’s Substack too. If you haven’t already, check it out.
For a slice of fictional magic, I’m taking a trip to The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki (translated by Jesse Kirkwood). So far, I am very much enjoying slipping into a magical world of astrology and talking cats. I mean, what’s not to love?!
Have you read either of these books? Let me know!
Autumn Sunset wax melts are almost here…
After much deliberation over the final blend, my artisan Autumn Sunset wax melts are almost in being. Combining coconut and rapeseed wax with essential oils of cedarwood, frankincense, ginger and cinnamon, they offer an earthy, spicy autumnal hug. My aim was to capture something of a magickal forest gathering around a crackling fire, just after sunset, a deliciously sweet, comforting drink in hand. (I always need to paint a picture to create an aroma!)
My Autumn Sunset melts will be ready to send out within the next week so if you’d like more information, drop me an email. You will also be able to order my Winter Moon wax melts with the Autumn Sunset melts as the ‘Forest Magic’ Duo. Keep an eye out as they will all be on my website very soon. (UK shipping only, sorry to my friends across the pond.)
That’s it from me dear reader. Until next time…
“May you be filled with abundant gratitude for this year so far, and may you slowly kindle the embers of light within as autumn beckons you to sit by her golden hearth.”
With much love,
Charlotte x
