The days since my last entry have been filled with magical significance, and encouraging progression towards my pursuits. In this week’s Witchy Wednesday gathering, we continued to explore our fears, and engaged in the delightful activity of coloring mandalas - a personal favorite pastime.

Before meeting with my modern coven, I connected with one of my guides for my monthly life coaching session. I presented her with the habit tracking log I began at the beginning of the year, and we reflected on my progress over the last month. I have made significant strides toward conjuring 1,000 dragons, with over 120 dragons already roosting throughout Alyra’s halls. - I pause here for a moment of gratitude that dragon conjurations do not defecate like real dragons.

We also discussed a lack of progress regarding my desire to write letters to my loved ones and with her help, I was able to identify some underlying fears that were getting in my way. I feel conflicted between my desire to make myself known to my friends and family, and my concern that my more closely-held convictions (such as my rage towards the ruling regime) might lead to a greater distance between us rather than bringing us closer together.

My guide encouraged me to make a concerted effort in the next moon cycle to examine this inner-conflict, and let my curiosity help navigate me down a path that allows me to express myself authentically while cultivating relationships with those that I hold most dear.

That evening marked the transit of the new moon, in which the energy of the Wolf Moon was finally dissipated, and the promise of the new Hunger Moon lingered in the dark sky. With my guides’ encouragement, I conducted a powerful ritual in the dark of night to reflect on the lessons offered by the Wolf Moon, and to set my intentions for the cycle ahead.

Sitting at my altar, bathed in the light of purple candles, my gaze rested softly on the wolf figurine that has accompanied me in my pocket over the last month. This lupine spirit has shown me the importance of community - leading me to “packs” of people with whom I can flourish through mutual support and protection. And like a wolf proudly howls at the full moon, I am learning to reconnect with my own voice, and finding the personal convictions that spur me to use it.

I once again turned to my tarot cards for guidance. Asking first, “What lesson should I consider during the Hunger Moon?” The Seven of Cups was presented, and I interpreted this to correspond to themes of temptation, seduction, and prizes. My interest piqued as I considered how this related to the theme of “hunger” associated with the upcoming lunar cycle. Having filled a month’s-worth of habits into my log, I feel motivated to use the data I’ve collected as a point of comparison against which I can judge my progress next month. Like one who hungers during a time of fasting, I wish to cultivate the ability to endure short-term discomfort in order to manifest long-term blessings. The Seven of Cups, then, warns of all the seductive trappings of comfort available in this modern age - a palimpsest with all manner of mesmerising enchantments, a king’s wealth of foods and beverages, beguiling herbs of smoke, malevolent town cryers who seek only to monger in fear. This world is full of reasons to fear, and equally full of ways to pretend to escape from that danger. My tarot deck whispers words of encouragement - to keep my eye on the prize, and resist the urge to choose comfort over growth.

With this lesson laid out before me, I wrote onto a piece of paper my specific intentions for the Hunger Moon cycle:

“As the moon begins anew, so do I. I honor my body as a sacred vessel, stretching and caring for it with devotion. I embrace silence, finding peace and contentment in the stillness. I seek community, opening my heart to others and the connections that await. These intentions are set, guided by the unseen tides of change. May they take root, grow, and bear fruit in this cycle.”

To anchor these intentions in my reality, I visualized all of the power from this ritual flowing into the lapis lazuli merkaba that I recently procured from Mystic Movements. The wolf figurine will now take its place on my altar, to be replaced by this geodesic trinket. I imbued it with my intentions, and invited it to accompany me in my pocket over the next month, acting as reminder and guide while I navigate down the path I’ve chosen.

Yesterday, I gave my azure companion the name Merk, and took it with me to my first choir practice with the Unitarian Universalists. My nerves were quickly dispelled when I saw a familiar face in Brian, and soon met a dozen other friendly folk who were just as eager to join in song and fellowship as I was. Fortunately, I had time in the past week to practice the songs we studied last night, allowing me to access the enchantment of the music with ease. Two hours went by in a melodic flash, and I returned home to Alyra overflowing with joy to once again be a part of a community of artists.

As the first month of the year draws to a close, I look out the window into the chilly winter night, twiddling Merk through my fingers. Tomorrow is Imbolc, a sabbat day to honor the first signs of spring, and I sense the upcoming season of growth budding in my heart. With my lapis lazuli guiding like a deep blue star, I resolve to carry forth into February, avoiding the seductions of cheap comforts, and forging a resilience that will give me the strength to endure the trials ahead.

The Hunger Moon Cometh