New Moon in Taurus: Open Up to Receive ( and How to Make Moonwater)

A refreshing breath of astro-air blew into our cosmic auras earlier this week and friends, it’s all about abundance! And on this morning of May 19, we have the New Moon in Taurus preparing to expand it’s light onto our hopes and dreams for abundance, for inter-connection, for freedom. 

There are many astrologists who are adept at explaining the specifics of the current celestial alignments - if you are astro-curious, you might search for Jupiter in Taurus, Taurus North Node, and New Moon in Taurus 2023. What’s more my cup of tea is sharing the feelings and flow -- and I can tell you we are flowing in opportunity for especially potent manifestation and intention-setting. 

If you think about the astrology and the movements of the planets as chapters in our evolution, this chapter is about finding the value in our experiences and our feelings over materialistic, consumptive, corporate celeb-peddling false luxuries….on other words, it’s time to get real about our values concerning money, wealth, security, and how we - individually and collectively - can use our creative gifts to find purpose while also fulfilling the human role of stewards of Earth. 

Opening up to Receive

On a personal, individual level, the New Moon in Taurus kicks of a year that offers each of us an opportunity to create and expand our mindsets around abundance, self-worth, and security. This is a time to reflect on our relationship with money, wealth, and material possessions, and how to bring more joyful freedom of being into our lives.

• If it did not cost money to be alive, what would you do with your time?
• What does a joy-filled life look like to you?
• What if abundance is simply having everything you need to feel safe, secure, and comfortable?
• What if wealth is measured by the love and care you give and receive from others?
• What if luxury is defined as falling to sleep peacefully with a small on your lips?
• Of spending your days following your heart instead of chasing paper bills for someone else?

Collective Transformation

These current astro-themes are NOT just about the money in your wallet! As a collective, we'll shoft to a renewed focus on truly sustainable living, environmental stewardship, and nurturing our planet's resources. Society is shifiting towards community collaboration (I know it may not seem this way, but it's true): local businesses over mega-corporations, self-reliance over co-dependency, and a much greater sense of interconnectedness with Earth and all of her inhabitants.

A new era of barn-raising, if you will - a time when neighbors come together to share resources, support stability, and foster collaboration and stewardship of our communities and our planet. We’re already seeing signs of this as many of our long-relied upon structures are dismantling, changing, soon to be unrecognizable.

I am so showing up for this!

Capturing the Magic with Moon Water

One way to tap in - and bottle up - this energy is through the the art of creating moonwater—an elixir infused with the energy of the moon, your intentions, astrological and cosmic vibrations, and the inherent properties of herbs, crystals, or other earthly treasures. Moonwater is used as a tool for manifestation, spiritual connection, and energetic cleansing - supporting our intentions and nurturing our connection with the abundant and interconnected web of life. Plus, it’s easy and fun and gives your inner child a bit of magical play to enjoy. 

Moonwater is made by setting your intentions in a jar of water, and leaving it out under the moonlight to charge. You can make moonwater anytime, even on new moons and dark moons, like the moon today. Moonwater is cleansing and energizing - you can use it as a room spray, to clean your space, water plants, anoint your chakras, or simply drink it while being mindful of your intentions. It’s all up to you and your creative imagination - use you intuition!

Here’s what you’ll need to make Moonwater:

• A glass mason jar
• Purified water - try to avoid using tap water, if possible. 
• Herbs
• Optional: Crystals, rocks, other treasures if you like
• Clear intentions and a vision

Step 1: Set Your Intentions

Before you start brewing up any magical elixirs, it’s important to get your intentions aligned. Get our your notebook or your journal, or just take a few minutes of calming space to reflect on your relationship with money and material possessions, as well as joy and contentment.

Ask yourself:

• What does it happiness, joy, and success look like for you?
• What is your soul craving?
• If you are perfectly content in your life - what does that look like?
• Do you feel abundant? Why, or why not?
• How do you define luxury?
• What helps you feel connected to the earth, to life, to joy?
• What are you grateful for that is present in your life right now, and what are you grateful for that is coming in the future?

Step 2: Gather your herbs and any ingredients**

There are endless options for herbs and ingredients - use your intution, and select ingredients you feel called to, oru that have meaning to you. Here are a few ideas for this particular New Moon in Taurus on May 19: 

• Cinnamon: Associated with prosperity and abundance, cinnamon can be used to attract financial blessings and material wealth. 

• Basil: Brings good fortune and stability. It also gives your moon water a nice flavor if you choose to drink it.

• Bay Leaf: Bay leaf is known for its powerful energy of transformation and breaking through barriers. It can be used to release limiting beliefs and open yourself up to new possibilities.

• Rosemary is a versatile herb with a fresh and invigorating scent. It has properties that can help promote grounding, uplift the spirit, and stimulate joy.
  
  
• Rose: A symbol of love and abundance, rose opens the heart and invites in the flow of blessings. It supports a receptive mindset and encourages you to embrace the abundance that comes your way.

• Mugwort: Mugwort enhances spiritual connection and intuition. It can aid in deepening your connection with the divine and expanding your awareness of the interconnectedness of all things.

• Lemon balm can help open up our hearts to the energy of joy, liberation, and connection to nature. It adds a touch of lightness and positivity to the moon water, making it a delightful and invigorating blend for manifestation and intention setting.

Step 3: Prepare your Jar

1. Choose a clean glass or jar that is safe for holding water. Cleanse the container with mild soap and warm water to ensure it's free from any impurities.
2. Place your chosen ingredients in your jar and fill with purified or distilled water, covering the herbs completely.
3. Charging the Water: Set the container outside under the moonlight or on a windowsill where it will be directly exposed to the moon's energy. I like to turn the jar upside down, so the clear glass bottom faces the sky and has a direct line to our celestial friends above. Sometimes I place quartz on top of the jar to amplify the energy I’m working with. Leave the jar overnight to absorb the energy of the new moon.

Harvesting the Moon Water:

1. The next morning, carefully collect the water from the container, leaving the herbs behind. Many traditions suggest you collect your moon water before the sun comes up (otherwise, you’ve technically made sun water). I tend to agree - but, perfection is overrated. Do what works for you. 

Now that you have your moon water here are some ways to use your moon water:

Cleansing and Energizing:

Use the moon water as a cleansing and energizing spray for your personal space. Transfer it to a spray bottle and lightly mist the areas where you spend time, such as your home, office, or sacred space. As you spray, envision your space filled with the intentions you place in your moon water.

Anointing and Blessing:

Dip your fingers into the moon water and gently anoint yourself with it. Apply it to your wrists, third eye, or heart chakra while visualizing the energy of the universe connecting with your being, infusing your heart space with love and abundance, flowing to your rooth chakra and then down to the earth, creating security and grounding your intentions into reality. Do the same with any rocks, crystals, your doorways and mirrors, your car, your purse - you get the idea!

Ritual Baths:

Add the moon water to your bath for a ritual cleansing and energetic alignment. As you soak in the water, imagine yourself being immersed in the comforting and loving energy of the universe, embracing the sense of connectedness with all life.  Allow the water to wash away any energetic blockages and open you up to receiving blessings and feeling connected to the greater web of life.

Watering Plants:

Water your indoor or outdoor plants with the moon water. As you pour the water onto the soil, visualize the plants thriving and growing in abundance. Feel the interconnectedness between yourself, the plants, and the natural world. Offer gratitude for the abundance of nature and the life-giving properties of water.

It’s fascinating to be living during a time of  such great change - even thor the world feels chaotic, vioelnt, distressing, there is a silver lining underneath it all - and the more we take the time and set the intention to connect and explore the little nuggets, the greater our understanding will evolve. Simple practices like making and using moonwater help to deepen our connection with our selves and the  world around us’ it inspires wonder and mysticism, to discover more about what brings us joy, and how to share that joy with others.

If you make moon water, let us know what you include in your potion in the comments below. I’d love to see what you feel called to use!

With love,

Leslie @leehouse

**It's important to exercise caution when creating moon water, especially when it comes to incorporating crystals or potentially poisonous items. Not all crystals are safe to use in water, as some may dissolve or release harmful substances. It's essential to research and ensure the crystals you choose are safe for water infusion. Additionally, when working with herbs, make sure they are non-toxic and suitable for consumption or external use, depending on your intended purpose. Always consult reliable sources or herbalists to ensure the safety of the herbs you incorporate into your moon water. Safety and well-being should always be a priority when crafting any form of elixir or potion.