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Would last weekend’s Club SÖDA NYC urban retreat have been so successful without a little candle magic?

With co-presenters Siri Rishi and Sah D’Simone

When I started this platform, I had literally zero idea—or desire—to become an event organizer. And yet when it comes to all things numinous, it’s been proven to me time and again that there is no substitute for real-time, human experiences to bring the magic to life. And so a LOT of what I do now (introverted, bookish, solitary, me), is producing and hosting events. And last weekend’s Club SÖDA NYC urban retreat with Kin Social Tonic was one of the best yet!

It was a tall order. Ambitious. A day-long takeover of new NYC members’ club Habitas, with nine workshops, family-style lunch, a panel discussion on the Future of Alcohol, tarot readers, sound and reiki healing sessions, and a Kundalini Disco to round it all off. And the way things worked out, my SÖDA co-founder Biet Simkin and I also only had 10 days to promote it. But we pulled it off AND THEN SOME.

Over 150 people showed up to celebrate with us. Yes, celebrate—since it was also mine and Biet’s birthday weekend, AND the 2-year anniversary of our first Club SÖDA NYC event. But mainly it was a success because of the feedback we got. Happy faces all day long. Revelations had. Friendships made. “Please can you do another day like this again soon!”

Yes, we had a killer line-up. Had called on some of our favorite and most talented guest presenters and co-hosts. Yes the mocktails from Kin got people just the right kind of buzzed. Yes, people are craving ways to connect and experience joy and transcendence without using booze. AND I called in some extra assistance behind the scenes!

A few weeks back, I received a pair of Conjure Fixed Candles from Haus of Hoodoo (a.k.a. modern mystic Jessyka Winston). When I lit the Crown of Success candle the Thursday before our event, my intention was for this project to bring happiness, healing, and new possibilities to all who come into contact with the Sober Curious movement I am spearheading. Leaving it to burn over the course of the weekend, continually checking in and praying over it, I could feel the candle magic working!

I’ll definitely be using Jessyka’s candles again. Not that I don’t trust my own ability to make magic, or the necessity and the power of my message—but when it comes to stepping up, loud and proud, and sharing my work with the world, introverted, bookish me will take all the help I can get.

Below, Jessyka explains the method and the myth behind her candle magic. And scroll down to the bottom of the post for some pics from our event!

RUBY WARRINGTON: Where does the concept of fixed candles come from and how did they become part of your practice?
JESSYKA WINSTON: The term “fixed” comes from Southern Conjure/Rootwork/Hoodoo. Other traditions called them “dress” or “anointed.” A candle is “fixed” or “dressed” with oils, herbs, and minerals.

RW: How can you explain how they work?
JW: I consider it a form of alchemy used to manifest a certain outcome or change current conditions. The ingredients added into the candle fixing hold their own spirit energy that is activated by breath and fire. These aren’t just candles you light and leave. There’s a connection, reverence and devotion that comes with this work. We communicate with our candle and pray over it daily. It is a ritual of its very own. The more faith you put into the ritual, the more devotion you give your candles the stronger the connection. Therefore, the more successful the outcome will be.

RW: What does the fixing involve? What spirits are you working with?
JW: I have my own spirits who work with me and bless my work. My ancestors, my guides, angels and, of course my Vodou, since I am initiated in both West African Vodoun and Hiatian Vodou. I work in my shrine room in front of my spirits surrounded by their altars. The spirits in the fixing are nature spirits. The spirit of each individual herb, the spirit in the minerals, the spirits in the oils, which are made of herbs and essential oils, as well as the spirit of fire. All these elements come together to make this work happen. In addition, the candles are blessed with prayer and intention. I pray over my candles and speak to them as I’m fixing them. The connection begins with me and then it is carried out and continued by the client receiving and lighting the candle.

Conjur Fixed Candles, $29, Haus of Hoodoo. Jessyka re-stocks her online store every Saturday at 6pm CST.

RW: Can anybody learn / use candle magic, or is this something you need to be initiated into?
JW: Yes, candle magic is for all! No initiation necessary. Candle magic is something you’ll most likely find in all spiritual practices and traditions. Even in Catholicism. Every traditions does it differently. It is a practice that can be used by all and learned by all who wish to learn about it. But I do believe it is something that can take time to master and perfect.

It’s not as simple as throwing some herbs and oils on a candle. A connection needs to be established between you and your craft. Learning which ingredients go well with each other. Also, which herbs and elements respond to you most. Though I work with hundreds of herbs I have my go-to herbs that I know will always do the trick. Each herb is a spirit and just how we connect with some people’s energies and not with others, same happens in this crafts. There will be herbs, ingredients you connect with more than others. Which is why this craft takes time. There is wisdom to be gained before you can master this work.

RW: When are the best times to use these candles – and what are they NOT for?
JW: My Fixed Candles come with instructions advising on which day of the week and time of the day to light your candle and begin your work. It is always best to be in good energy when doing any ritual or any other spiritual workings. If you aren’t in the best of energy, or are feeling ill it is best to skip lighting your candle until you’re in better spirit.

Below are some images from our Club SÖDA NYC urban retreat. A success indeed! Sign up for our FREE weekly magazine to be the first to know about upcoming events, and join the Club SÖDA NYC Facebook group to connect with our Sober Curious community.

Pre-Kundalini Disco warm-up

Gathering for our plant-based family style brunch

My SÖDA co-founder Biet Simkin with keynote speaker Hawk Newsome of Black Lives Matter

Biet leading a meditation before our panel discussion

And thanks to amazing Kin Social Tonic for the adaptogenic mocktails!

With her new book Craft: How To Be A Modern Witch, Gabriela Herstik—one of our first ever Numinous contributors!—says it’s witches who really run the world …

Gabriela Herstik The Numinous Craft How to be a modern witch

Four year ago I got an email from a student at the University of South Carolina. “Let’s just say Columbia isn’t necessarily forgiving of those who chose to dress how they want and stand out,” she wrote. “My all black attire, bright red lipstick and half shaved head make me the recipient of many side eyes, but my own personal style has never faltered or strayed.” Her name was Gabriela Herstik, and she pitched a story for the Numinous on dressing to honor the Death Card in the tarot. And in doing so, became one of my first ever contributors to the site!

Gaby continued to write for me over the years, going on to become an official intern and one of our Moon Club Founding members. It’s been AMAZING to watch her career grow and blossom, as she graduated college, went to intern at Vivienne Westwood, and got her writing published everywhere from i-D to Broadly. She landed a column at Nylon called “Ask A Witch.” And when she told me this time last year that she’s been asked to write a book about modern witchcraft, it was as if the cosmos had fully aligned!

Gaby’s book, Craft: How to Be A Modern Witch, is out today. And her take on what makes a witch—”The witch is anyone who does things differently, by her own rules, attuned to her own self and magick”—reminds me of a line from her first email to me. “I’ve had to grow a tough skin to stay true to myself in parts of the south that don’t understand what it means to be different,” she wrote.

How to have a tough skin (boundaries, people) while keeping your heart wide open is one of the messages in her book. Here’s what else she told me about the witches who really rule the world, and how she’s honoring the lineage of witches who came before us …

RUBY WARRINGTON: In the intro, you say it’s witches who really run the world. Who are some of your favorite inspirational witches, and why?
GABRIELA HERSTIK: We do run the world! An empowered woman who knows her own magick has always been a threat to the patriarchy and I stand by that! There are so many amazing witches out there. I think the first time I was truly introduced to powerful witches were in Harry Potter. Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Professor Trelawney, Professor Mcgonagall—they all inspired my magick.

So did Oprah. I’ve been following her and her “super soul Sunday” show for years with my mom, and her insight, wisdom and power have been inspiring me for over a decade. Sybil Leek And Doreen Valiente are both historic witches who have inspired my own practice as well, reminding me that my strength and power and witchiness are forces to be reckoned with and that using my writing is a valid way of spreading my magick. Yoko Ono, one of my favorite fellow Aquarians, has also inspired me to be revolutionary without shame, showing that love and peace should always be fought for with an open heart and compassionate mind.

Starhawk is a JeWitch who has helped me embrace my own inner priestess, and has helped me deepen my craft and practice—she’s amazing! Goddesses and figures like Hecate and Lilith have reminded me of my own darkness as a gift, and that my non-conforming nature is something to be celebrate, curated and cultivated more than it needs to be shamed!

RW: In your book, you identify “the one without children” as one possible marker of a witch. This is me Gaby! Does the fact I never wanted to have kids show I’ve always been a witch?
GH: YES! A witch has always been someone who doesn’t abide by society’s (or in many cases the church’s) rules! You taking control over your own body and future by not having kids, (even though society tells us that we must follow the path of having a job, a spouse and children to be valid) means that you are claiming sovereignty over your future and self. You’re going against the grain and honoring your own needs, feelings and emotions, which in my opinion is the basis of magick!

A witch is empowered, not by an outside force, but by herself. And in a society that tells us we must conform to be worthy, doing what you want for yourself and your own sake isn’t only the witch’s calling, but it’s also revolutionary.

Craft Gabriela Herstik The Numinous Witch

RW: Why is cultivating a Moon practice—like we do in Moon Club—the first step towards activating your inner witch?
GH: Many of us naturally are enamored with the moon. She been there for as long as the earth (4.53 BILLION YEARS) which means that we are looking at the same moon that generations and generations of ancient (and modern) people have. The moon represents and rules over our emotional bodies, our intuition, our connection to the feminine; the subtle, all knowing, feeling part of ourselves that’s in everyone, regardless of gender. No matter where we live, we can look up and see the moon.

It doesn’t cost anything and it doesn’t matter what religion or spiritual path you follow—the moon is there, and she cycles through her 28 days all the same. Cultivating a moon based practice is an easy way to get in touch with the subtle aspects of our soul, and an even easier way to chart our own growth alongside that of the moon. Starting at the new moon, the beginning of the moon’s cycles, we focus on what we want to grow as the moon’s light grows or waxes, up until the full moon.

The Full Moon is a time of completion and manifestation, and after that when she starts to lose light or wane, we focus on what we want to release. This is such an easy way to start learning about your own cycles and energies, and for those of us who bleed, the moon also imitates our own cycles. The moon is just the most inspiring, beautiful, magical being. I love her and I don’t think I know a witch who doesn’t!

RW: What was the most important step in you “coming out”and standing proud in your witchiness?
GH: Believing in my witchiness and my power! As far as physical moments, shaving off half my hair seven years ago is what I credit as my initiation as a fashion witch. It’s the first time I used the power of glamour and rebellion to transform my style and it’s what really launched my exploration of personal style.

In a broader sense, writing this book has been the biggest step in coming into my power as a witch. At the end of 2016 I decided I was going to write about witchcraft less, but the universe had other plans for me! I’ve had many incarnations as a witch (the old saying “once a witch, always a witch” rings true) and a lot of them have not ended well. Not only am I breaking this karma by embracing the title of “witch” and helping other people find their magick, but I’m also transforming the karma of my ancestry in this life.

I grew up Jewish and am ethnically Jewish as well. I had over 70 members of my family in concentration camps, including my paternal grandparents. The fact I can openly talk about being a witch, the fact that I have made a career out of sharing this practice and belief system, when my family members were killed and abused for their religious beliefs, is not lost on me. Coming out as a witch in the public eye, has been a lot of things but the most important thing is that that I’ve learned is that this is who I am. This is where my power lies. This is my path and my magick and embracing it, sharing it with others and spreading wisdom is why I’m here!

Craft Gabriela Herstik The Numinous Witch

RW: What’s the last spell you cast and what was the result?
GH: The last spell I cast was at the New Moon for presence, gratitude, sex, abundance, magick and love—it’s still going (I’ve burned the candle every day since the last New Moon) but I’ve definitely been more in tune with all of those things. I did a spell last night using my rose quartz chakrub and sex magick to remove some blocks I have around my heart as “protection” and the result was some really intense, scary dreams that brought to surface some of my fears and a really intense feeling of centered peace this morning.

RW: What’s your favorite way to honor the lineage of the witches that came before us?
GH: I love this question! My favorite way to honor them is to honor my own ancestry through working with fashion magick, since both sides of my family are weavers, seamstresses and in the garment industry. As far as the witches who came before me, being vocal about how lucky we are to live in a place and time where we can openly call ourselves witches and practice witchcraft is a huge part of my practice.

My work and passion is sharing information about connecting with witchcraft and magick and goddess. This work, including my blogs and columns and articles and my book, are all dedicated to the witches who have come before me. The legacy of the witch lives on in many ways, and she absolutely lives on in me. By shedding light on witchcraft, by making it accessible, by holding space in my heart for those whose shoulders I stand on, I honor this lineage of witches.

Craft: How to Be A Modern Witch by Gabriela Herstik is out March 15 on Penguin Random House.

At last! Numinous resident Tarotscopes queen Lindsay Mack has created a digital course on how to read Tarot. Ruby Warrington explains why Lindsay’s Tarot For The Wild Soul is an invaluable tool on your soul journey …Lindsay mack tarot for the wild soul how to read the tarot the numinous

I first met Lindsay Mack about two and a half years ago, when I interviewed her for my book Material Girl, Mystical World. I’d become aware of Lindsay and her work after we ran this interview with her on the site—and there was one quote that had really stood out to me.

“I read Tarot for people’s soul expansion—meaning I read in a way that helps them to wake up to the truth of their being.”

Woah. I was still in the early research stages of my book, and I didn’t know at the time that this sentence was essentially tapping into what would become the BIG message of MGMW, and my work in a wider sense.

I have since come to believe that seeking to unpick the conditioning that keeps us small, fearful and compliant, thus connecting to our individual truths, and then making our life choices from this place, is at the essence of our spiritual work, and our evolution both as individuals and as a collective. And in Lindsay’s hands, the Tarot becomes an amazing tool for exactly this.

After our first meeting (which I wished could go on for DAYS, that’s how good it is to hear Linds speak on her soul subject), I invited her to become a regular contributor to The Numinous. She’s since been writing our monthly Tarotscopes column and recording weekly Tarotscopes videos—which regular readers + viewers will know are not only off-the-hook accurate, but delivered with the utmost love and compassion for our individual journeys.

And so, I could NOT be more excited to share that Lindsay has gone and created a TAROT FOR THE WILD SOUL digital course! YES. Like all the most evolved modern mystics, Linds is dedicated to empowering others to use these ancient tools for themselves, and this 8-week program is a deep-dive into the Tarot as medicine.

Course dates: October 3—November 21 2017
***IMPORTANT*** Signup is only open through October 1 2017 (and the course won’t run again until next year!)

You can click HERE to learn more about Linds and her work and sign up—or read on below for more details on the course itself!

The Motherpeace Tarot by Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble is one of Lindsay’s favorite decks

An eight-week guided immersion into how to read Tarot, participants will receive 13 instructional videos, 10 pre-recorded audio meditations, weekly rituals and practices to do with their decks, a beautiful PDF document for journaling, gentle homework assignments, access to a private community Facebook group, and an abundance of weekly bonus material, all to support them on this journey.

The eight weeks will be structured as follows:

Week 1—What is Soul Tarot?

Week 2—The Major Arcana :: The Sacred Macrocosm

Week 3—The Swords :: Mastering Brain Chemistry

Week 4—The Cups :: Trusting One’s Intuition

Week 5—The Wands :: The Sacred Fire

Week 6—The Pentacles :: Living Spiritually in a Material World

Week 7—The Court Cards :: The Master Level

Week 8—Going Deeper

For the full low-down + pricing and payment plans (it’s SUPER affordable btw!) click HERE

Lindsay and I also will be hopping onto a Facebook Live at 2pm on Thursday Sept 28, so log on and join us there if you have any more specific questions about the course—or ask in the comments section here. I for one cannot wait to get deep and soulful with Lindsay this fall!

Get this week’s astro symbol for your sign in our Numinous weekly horoscopes from Sandra Sitron, a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology

Taurus :: Taurus Rising
The sun setting over rolling hills and fields. Be soothed by the idea of persistent cycles. You are always evolving to a new level of development. You are continuously changing although the pace may seem slow and the development hard to see. Know that you are growing and it’s safe to let go of the old ways. Know that you are steady at your core. Steady like the moon and stars in the sky. Steady like the sunset and ocean tides. Ever changing and ever strong.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Gemini :: Gemini Rising
Hands in the air, palms open, hiding nothing. It’s time to be perfectly frank. Open. Forthright. There can be a quickness and a lightness to your honesty. This is not a surrender and you don’t have to defend yourself. You are just learning to be you. Be your true self. This will help you in your relationships and your community. Find a philosophy of truth.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Cancer :: Cancer Rising
Brushing a horse. Maintenance. You are taking care of your biz. You are getting things in order in every area of your life; health, work, home, relationships. Get your systems in place. Self-care. Drink your green smoothie, clean out your closet, systematize your finances. Focus on the practical details now so that you can expand later.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Leo :: Leo Rising
The stem of a flower. Delicate and beautiful, the stem of a flower normally goes unnoticed. It’s the bloom that gets all the attention. This symbol is about integral grace. Start from a philosophy of inner harmony and peace. Let that central peacefulness give you resilience and strength to blossom in full creative glory. Inner harmony leads to beautiful outer expansion.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Virgo :: Virgo Rising
Zig zag down the mountain. Find a new approach. The mountain is familiar, but the route is new. The astrology says that you’re finding a new approach to old conditioning from your childhood, home, or family. Let the old habit or patter die away and embrace a new path. Surprise yourself with a zig zag pattern that is totally new. It may be more efficient than the previous approach.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Libra :: Libra Rising
A tornado takes you to Oz. It’s time to visit new horizons in your mind. A force in your life (the tornado) needs to be approached with structure and discipline. Be mentally strong as you encounter the surprises in Oz so that you can move forward on your journey. You’ll end up in a new place with more confidence than before.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Scorpio :: Scorpio Rising
Diving with sharks. Maybe you can be a shark too. Sleek, powerful, self-sufficient. What are you taking a bite out of? What are you digging into? Where are you applying force? Get out of your comfort zone. Let your bite, grip, and strength surprise you. Convince yourself of your value. Steady yourself by knowing your own worth. Let your strength come from your internal sense of worth.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius Rising
In between rows of wheat, a path is visible. Surrender to the path. Move along, move forward, move ahead. Let the path take you. In this surrender there is an acknowledgement that you are committed. You have decided. So now go. Don’t waste time wondering about your direction. It’s clear. You don’t have to stay on it forever. But just for now, let the journey be your teacher.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Capricorn :: Capricorn Rising
A stained glass window. Innocence. Naïveté. Push anything out of your mind that weighs you down. Train your thoughts to be light. Gaze at the beautiful colored light and clear your mind. Take a wildly different approach by being gentle with your sweet, innocent self. You are just one person. You can’t do it all. Lighten your load of responsibility and give yourself some time to be carefree.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Aquarius :: Aquarius Rising
Craggy cliffs on the side of the mountain. Unexpected adventure. Allow the journey to reveal itself to you. Know that the goal is more important than the obstacles. Feel dedicated to the adventure of it all. Cultivate the mindset of the explorer. Activate your desire for surprise.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Pisces :: Pisces Rising
Leaves floating on currents of wind. Notice the quality of the air around you. Notice the invisible. One of those invisible things is your energetic field. You make currents as you move through the world. Connect with the idea that you are bigger than your body. There are fields of energy surrounding you. You may desire energy healing or clearing. Or you may decide to meditate. Feeling connected and tuned in to your energetic systems will help ground you in your personal power. Surprisingly (or not) this will also have a positive impact on your career.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Aries :: Aries Rising
Strawberries and diamonds. Name the thing that brings you delight. You must know what makes you delighted and you must put it on your vision board. It’s got to be in the viewfinder. You are ready to build a philosophy that can make your life more joyful and enlivening. It just comes down to whether you decide to call in the vision or not. Free will baby. Will you choose to walk toward the things that bring you joy? Will you write “I am deserving of delight and joy” into your personal mission statement?

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

The Leo Full Moon Eclipse brings a re-set on how we show up as an individual in the name of the collective, says Sandra Sitron

Leo Full Moon Ritual Moon Club The Numinous
Join our Moon Club Leo Full Moon Ritual Saturday Feb 11 2017. Sign-up here!

Full Moon, Lunar Penumbral Eclipse :: February 10 2017 :: 7:33 pm EST :: 22 degrees Leo

The Leo Full Moon says: “Fill yourself up with vibrant color. Be creative without worrying about protecting yourself. Sharing doesn’t have to feel vulnerable. Use your body, mind and spirit to produce an explosion of creativity. Let yourself play and have fun. See where it leads.”

The Full Moon occurs when the Moon in Leo lines up exactly opposite the Sun in Aquarius. Every month, the Sun and the Moon face-off in opposite signs to help us build awareness of the big picture. This is always intense energy, and this time, it’s also a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. What is the full story forming between these two opposite energies? On the Aquarius side of things, we must gather with like minded souls, connect with community, and dream up the future. On the Leo side of things, we are ready to shine as individuals.

We need to share our sacred unique spark with others, and be recognized for it. There is a back and forth happening between giving and receiving, the individual and the collective, personal power and a collective vision for the future.

Let’s connect the dots to how important this Leo Full Moon is now, at this exact moment in history. A couple of important themes come to mind…Hide your individual light and you deprive the world of meaning. Lose connection with the group and you float off untethered. Shine and connect. Honor your uniqueness and work together to build a vision for the future.

This Leo Full Moon is part of the kick-off to eclipse season. The 2017 and 2018 lunar eclipse pairs are in the signs of Leo and Aquarius. Think of an eclipse as unplugging your router to reset the internet. That moment of turning off and on lets you approach the situation in a whole new way. It’s a massive reset. Each eclipse will bring us new opportunities to reset how we share our individual creativity and how we commune with the collective. Leo and Aquarius are fixed signs. The fixed modality helps us slowly and persistently move forward. Constant small actions are required. Keep on pushing.

The Moon and It’s Message
Batting baseballs out of the park.

It’s time to step up to the plate. This is full on, happening NOW, game time. There’s some burn-out energy to this Full Moon—she’s dancing in a Fire grand trine. Action is easy, but it’s also easy to take on too much. But aside from that, the energy is high, and the pitcher is ready to face-off.

The Full Moon is in a Fire grand trine aspect pattern with Uranus and Saturn.
Fire canons.

Action. Self-sufficiency. It’s go time. The energy is high and the instinct is to find something to “do.” That’s pretty much fine. It’s time to get some things done. Work within the existing structure to change it.
Can you see a limitation as an opportunity for innovation?
Can you choose your actions wisely to achieve massive results?
Can you actively connect with your intuition to avoid burn-out?

The Full Moon is in a yod aspect pattern with Jupiter, pointing to Chiron.
Feeding the fish.

The Leo Full Moon is actively directing us toward healing. Keep turning toward your emotions (Moon). Ask yourself how you feel, and then slow down enough to listen. This process helps with healing (Chiron), which in turn leads to growth and expansion (Jupiter).

The yod formation brings with it a heavy sense of expectancy. Maybe even some frustration. You’re being asked to stay present in the moment, even if it would seem easier to tune out. Swim deep into your emotion ocean. With love and attention, it might be time for some old feelings to emerge at the surface.

Make, do, play. Connect with others. Get active! Find a way to push. Consistent action is good. Get curious about your feelings. Feeling equals healing equals expansion. It’s time to blossom in the full light of your creativity while connecting to your vision for the future.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

The below study questions by sign are designed to help you journal on what’s coming up with this Leo Full Moon Eclipse. To get more specific, look at where 22 degrees Leo falls in your birth chart and also read for that house.

Aries or 5th house
What can I do today that’s creative? What does creativity mean to me?

Taurus or 4th house
How does creativity help my inner child feel more secure?

Gemini or 3rd house
What do I need to learn about now? Who is in my support system?

Cancer or 2nd house
What does self-worth mean to me?

Leo or 1st house
How you can I assert my individuality a little bit more? When do I need to “get out of my own way?”

Virgo or 12th house
What subconscious pattern needs to shift to give me more ease in my life right now?

Libra or 11th house
How do I want to connect with my greater community this year?

Scorpio or 10th house
What associations do I have with the term, “showing-off?” What would it be like for me to show-off more?

Sagittarius or 9th house
Who inspires me right now? How can I bring new philosophies into my everyday life?

Capricorn or 8th house
Why do I feel the need for recognition? Why does this make me feel powerful?

Aquarius or 7th house
What questions can I ask to better understand another person’s perspective?

Pisces or 6th house
What small thing can I do each day to take care of my health?

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

The Aquarius New Moon is here to help us chart a course into the future, says Sandra Sitron

Aquarius New Moon moon club The Numinous astronauts on the moon
Get a MOON MISSION pdf for this entire Moon Phase when you sign up for Moon Club!

New Moon :: January 27 2017 :: 7:08 pm EST :: 8 degrees Aquarius

Be ready. You are winding up for the swing. This is your time to come into alignment with your values and vision. Focus your intentions for innovation, change, and a more loving society.

On Friday, the Sun and the Moon meet in the sign of Aquarius. This is the Aquarius New Moon. Aquarius energy is airy and determined. Light and changeable, yet persistently moving forward. Aquarius represents the greater community and our dreams for the future. This is a visionary time. During this season we will take our positions in the social and political arenas. Friday’s New Moon is the point at which we take the seed of our intention and plant it in our subconscious.

Think of this New Moon as your planning stage. Gather your vision for the future. It must be detailed and clear. You have a responsibility now to set the vision. It needs to be a shift. You must lean into a new approach. Make an adjustment. Surprise yourself. We are in a tumultuous political time. You are being called to take a position. The New Moon in Aquarius is helping you envision that position.

How you interact with the changes that are coming will be completely your choice. If you feel called to step forward then do so. If you feel called to stay still and hold space with love in your heart, then do that. You have other options too, you can either ignore what’s happening, or ride someone else’s wave of fear unconsciously. It’s entirely up to you. Right now you get to envision how you want to be.

Be proactive in your approach. Notice each and every emotion that flows through you and validate it. This alone is a major upgrade. We spend so much time unconsciously trying to not feel our feelings. When you honor your feelings you heal the world. On Friday, make a vision board. See yourself positioned in your future dream society. What does it look like? What are the predominant feelings? How are you connecting with others? Hold this vision strong. Feel yourself there. This is one of the most powerful things you can do.

The Aquarius New Moon is making no major aspects, and only two minor aspects. This is a rare configuration which elevates the emotionality of the New Moon. Think of this as airy emotional energy that is slightly un-tethered. Aquarius has two speeds. The first is completely detached. The second is an erratic swing between very high emotional intensity and then whoosh— it’s over. Detachment follows. This is high energy that’s very unpredictable.

You can ride the wave of these emotions to see where your psyche is ready to have it’s software updated. If your MO is to keep the lid on your emotions and go through the motions, you may not have much luck with that this weekend. The lid is coming off. This is a good thing. It will help you get to the root of your feelings and experience cathartic release.

The Moon and it’s Message
Drawing a map.
This is your chance to fill in your vision. Make it practical and hopeful. Take back control of your vibration. Through the practice of vision, align with the vibration that you want to hold. Use your creative ability to draw your boundaries, determine the topography and orient yourself.

New Moon Semi-square Saturn
Swimming underwater and watching the bubbles from your snorkel rise to the surface.
Give yourself a tool or a structure that will help you navigate emotionally. Feelings may take you deeper. You may be going deeper into your emotions then you are used too. You may feel out of your element. You are supported. You have the tools that you need. Use your new knowledge of the world to plan appropriately. Find stability.

Full Moon Semi-square Venus
Breaking bread together.
Nourish yourself and feel loved. Play, frolic, laugh, restore and enjoy. Socialize. Make sure to give yourself the emotional support that you need so that you can feel abundant, worthy and peaceful.

T-square with Uranus, Jupiter and Mercury/Pluto
The wolf pack’s howl.
The Aquarius New Moon is ruled by Uranus. Uranus (change agent), is instigating a T-square with Jupiter (expansion) which is pointed toward Mercury and Pluto. In this scenario, Mercury and Pluto together symbolize the collective pain body. The old wounds that lodge in our consciousness and come out through our culture’s norms and language are getting an electrical shock. The entire group (Aquarius) is planting a seed intention for how we want things to go down. There’s a collective howl as some rush to cover up the wounds and maintain the status quo, while others are diving in deeper to tear off the bandage. The Great Awakener is on the scene. We are urgently being prodded to choose our positions and intentions.

The Aquarius New Moon has got your back. She wants you to know that it’s not too late. That everything is perfectly aligned. She is sending you loving thoughts for you to carry into the future. But you must carry them. Don’t put down you parcel. Don’t rest. Don’t turn off and deny yourself. There is such a thing as walking into battle with love in your heart. This is like parenting. A good parent is present for the easy stuff and hard things. A good parent leans forward and lovingly teaches. Sometimes they are firm. Sometimes they are emotional. But they keep showing up. You are being called to step into a role of love. Lead through example.

For more personal insight into the Aquarius New Moon, journal with the below study questions for each sign.If you know what house of the zodiac 8 degrees Aquarius falls in your chart, read for that house too.

Aries or 11th house
How might you bring more community into your life?

Taurus or 10th house
What’s your vision for your career? How do you want it to feel?

Gemini or 9th house
How would you best express your mission statement right now?

Cancer or 8th house
Where in your life are trying to control an outcome? What would happen if you just let go?

Leo or 7th house
What’s your vision for relationship? How do you want it to feel?

Virgo or 6th house
What is blocking you from practicing healthy habits? What is one healthy habit you would like to form?

Libra or 5th house
Tune into the things that bring you joy. How can make more space for these things in your life?

Scorpio or 4th house
What’s your vision for your home and your relationships with your family members? How do you want it to feel?

Sagittarius or 3rd house
Can you think about one issue in your life from a new perspective?

Capricorn or 2nd house
What thought is preventing you from feeling worthy and deserving? How could you view that experience positively?

Aquarius or 1st house
What’s your vision of your personal power? How can you express your gifts, talents and individuality?

Pisces or 12th house
Where can you bring the feeling of hope into your life? How might you do that?

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

The Cancer Full Moon opens a portal of transformation, if we can process our feelings, get inspired, and stay present in the now, says Sandra Sitron.

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Wolf Moon :: January 12 2017 :: 6.36am EST :: 22 degrees Cancer

This Moon is like a lullaby. She sings, “Find the softest part of your psyche. Open there just a little bit more. Somewhere there is a vulnerable part of you that is ready for a change. It’s time to heal. Shed a protective layer. Turn a wall into a ladder.”

You are in a moment of incredible growth. The Cancer Full Moon is offering you an opening. It’s transformational. The Cancer Full Moon is opposite the Sun in Capricorn. Capricorn is ambition and Cancer is nurturance. The Moon is the ruler of Cancer and she is nice and comfy in her sign right now. Yet this energy can feel so loud. Emotions come to their full blossom or their full boil. And the Cancer Full Moon chart is packed with heightened astrological energy. Let’s delve in…

The Moon and It’s Message
Pine trees in the moonlight.

Trees standing straight and tall, like you. The trees house an internal drama. There is a veil of peace and serenity, yet within each tree is a Universe. Cells multiply. Moss grows and birds sing. Sap flows and insects die. For the tree, time is different. Maybe it’s more like a series of rings and less like a straight line. Your message is to root yourself down and hold yourself up. Remind yourself that nothing is as it seems. The Cancer Full Moon wants you to remember that everything is more complex and more simple than you think. Capricorn Sun is Father and Cancer Moon is Mother. Hold yourself like a baby and let yourself truly experience the mysteries of the world. On this first Full Moon of the year, you are an infant. Let yourself be in awe of the enigma.

Moon Inconjunct Saturn.

The Moon is in her own sign and inconjunct Capricorn’s ruler, Saturn. Your feelings may get hurt. The squishy, vulnerable parts of you may feel like they are spotted by everyone. You can’t hide. Your old stuff is ready to be drawn out and healed. But the process may be downright frustrating. Find a structure for your emotions. Here’s one:

Step 1: Forgive yourself. If your emotions are causing behaviors you aren’t too proud of, accept it.
Step 2. Define your feelings. What is this feeling called?
Step 3: Identify the pattern. When was the first time you felt this way (high school or before)? If you can’t answer that, try this one. Name three character traits of the person(s) involved. Who else in your formative years also had these traits? A parent? Yourself?
Step 4: Go back and hug the child/teenager part of yourself that needs the hug. You are an adult now. You can nurture that inner child and tell them it’s going to be okay. Sit the little imaginary version of you on your lap and rock them.
Step 5: Process. This could mean different things… journaling, apologizing, writing an affirmation about how you would like to feel, or talking about it.

This 5-step process can be used whenever high emotions feel frustrating. Keep at it. It brings together the nurturing nature of the Moon and the structural energy of Saturn and the Capricorn Sun.

The Grand Cross Pattern
Stuck in a doorway.

The Grand Cross pattern is made up of Sun and Pluto opposite the Cancer Full Moon and squaring the opposition of Jupiter Uranus. Two oppositions. 4 squares. It looks like a giant square in the sky with a cross in the center. It’s a cardinal grand cross. The cardinal energy is initiative. Cardinal means “hinge,” which describes walking through a doorway into a new beginning. A new door opens. But the grand cross itself can feel like stuck energy. It’s like you being pulled in four different directions. Whatever portal you need to walk through on your healing journey, this is you standing in the doorway.

You’ve got your arms and legs outstretched and clutching to the door-jam. It may feel scary. It may feel like there is something on the other side that you shouldn’t see. Something will either push you through or you will retreat. Who’s to say which is better for you at this moment? The important thing for now is that you honor your experience in this moment. Your arms and legs are the grand cross. There is a sense of being pulled in many directions. How do you stand in the middle of this storm? How do you hold your center? How do you breathe through it? You need an anchor. It needs to be spiritual. It needs to be inspiring.

Which brings us to our next clue…

Venus Conjunct Neptune
A magic wand.

Venus is exactly conjunct Neptune. These two are buddying up and creating a Thor’s Hammer aspect pattern with the Moon and Jupiter. Don’t underestimate the powerful energy that you are emitting at this very moment. You’re sending out vibrational beams that are attracting more of the same to you right now. Find a way to funnel your energy. Make yourself into a magic wand.

Enchanting, lovely Venus and Neptune together can help you to transcend. If the balance is out of whack for you right now, you may find yourself locking into the lower vibes of Neptune—drugs, alcohol, bewilderment. Keep yourself inspired. The verb “to inspire” means both to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence, and to draw in air.

Do both. Focus on your breathing. And then find something that inspires you by engaging your sense of purpose. Use this inspiration to funnel your thoughts and emotions. This is how you activate the power of the magic wand that the Cancer Full Moon chart is presenting you with. How to connect with your higher-self. Probably you do this through meditation. Maybe you listen to inspiring music. Maybe you create something. You will have to get out of your typical thinking-cycle for a handful of moments. Keep leading yourself away from the swirling thoughts. You will keep returning, but you can keep leading yourself away. Focus on the moment. Like when you’re making your coffee in the morning. Or washing your hands. There is so much magic in the moment. The “now” will help you move through the doorway to the next stage of your healing journey.

Summary: This is a powerfully energetic time. Allow your feelings. Get ready to change and heal. If you feel stuck, pulled in four different directions, vulnerable, or confused—that’s okay. You will move through the doorway by processing your feelings, inspiring yourself and staying present in the now.

The below suggestions are for self-inquiry by sign to help you work more deeply with the energies of the Cancer Full Moon. For a more accurate reading, check where 22 degrees Cancer falls in your birth chart, and also read for that house…

Aries or 4th house.
In what area of your life do you wish for more security? How old is the part of you that wants security? Can you give more empathy to that part of you?

Taurus or 3rd house.
What would you like to be able to believe in? What is stopping you?

Gemini or 2nd house.
What are you building in your life? What is your most valuable asset when it comes to this task?

Cancer or 1st house.
What would you like to say “Yes” to? What would you like to say “No” to? What is blocking you from asserting your desires?

Leo or 12th house.
Ask yourself, “what feeling am I not allowing myself to acknowledge?” What comes up?

Virgo or 11th house.
What are your hopes for the future? Who in your community will support you?

Libra or 10th house.
What are the structure or systems in your life that you are ready to simplify?

Scorpio or 9th house.
Can you make a commitment to explore a new place or philosophical idea this week?

Sagittarius or 8th house.
Where in your life can you let go of control? What does the idea of spiritual surrender mean to you?

Capricorn or 7th house.
Who do you think you could be more open with? How might that change the relationship?

Aquarius or 6th house.
Is something stopping you from feeling grounded? If so, what?

Pisces or 5th house.
What can you do to bring more playfulness and lightness into your life?

The Gemini Full Moon brings an opportunity to upgrade your belief system to mirror your truths, says Sandra SitronPLUS in-depth Full Moon study questions for each sign.

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Gemini Full Moon :: Tuesday December 13 2016 :: 7:06pm ET :: 22 degrees Gemini

Tend to your words. Make them your garden. Your words will nourish you and help you connect to your truth. If you don’t fail them, they won’t fail you. They will be the sacred fertilizer of your wisest moves.

The Gemini Full Moon will raise questions of integrity. Who do you say that you are? How do you use your words? Do you speak carefully, judiciously selecting which thoughts you will bring to life with language? Or are you unfiltered? This Moon will help us orient ourselves to the truth within, and give a microphone to the voice of wisdom. Because of the nature of any Full Moon, this time can also show us how our use of words can go disastrously wrong.

So mean what you say, and say what you mean.

Have you ever had a conversation take you down a wrong track, so that you end up saying things that left you worse off than if you had never said anything? These moments create opportunities to notice patterns. Pay close attention to you emotions as you speak or write. See how your words can change how you feel? Notice the patterns in your own thinking or patterns that come up in conversations.

Gemini rules thinking and communicating on an elementary school level. Gemini gave us our first friends and our first sentences. It rules primary connections, mental and social. And the stuff you learn when you’re a kid gets so ingrained. If your mom said “I’m sorry” instead of “Excuse me” when navigating through a crowded grocery store, you’ll probably speak that way too. The language we learn as children literally forms how our brain works. It’s foundational.

Sagittarius, where the sun sits opposite this Gemini Full Moon, illuminating its lessons, rules thinking and communicating on an elevated level. You’ve made it to college. Words become philosophical and wisdom-seeking. Sag is your study abroad trip to see how other cultures think.

With the Gemini Full Moon opposite the Sun in Sagittarius, we are being called to monitor the basic thinking behind our emotions (Moon), and step it up a notch so that we can live more fully in our essence (Sun). We are being called to think, speak, and live in the full integrity of who we are. We are getting a chance to re-write old thought patterns and operate from a philosophical foundation instead of a habitual one.

The Moon And It’s Message
Tying the boat up to the dock.
Bring your ship ashore. Find solace in what you know to be true. Your spirit. Your heart. Your essence. The waves keep coming, but they are part of the sea, they are part of life. You are ready for more structure. More of an understanding of who you are. It is time to plan a new trip. You can come back to the map and delineate a new destination. Let the light of understanding flood your mind so that the waves of the emotional sea feel like an adventure rather than an obstacle.

Moon Opposite Saturn
Wood stacked in preparation of a fire.
It’s time to build a structure. Structure must begin with a solid foundation. If you want to build a good fire, you always have to stack the wood in the right way. If you don’t, the fire won’t catch. Push yourself closer to a plan. It will help with your thinking and your progress.

Moon Trine Jupiter
Unwrapping the gifts.
Support beams down from on high. This is the stamp of approval. Trust that your intuition will lead you in the direction of expansion. All you’ve got to do is trust, and the assistance will flow in. The gifts are already there.

Go deeper with your Gemini Full Moon self-inquiry, with these study questions by sign. For a more accurate reading, see where 22 degrees Gemini falls in your chart and also read for that house.

Aries :: 3rd house
In what area of my life would a dose of curiosity and lightness be helpful? Do I feel safe to be filled with wonder in my career? In my relationships? Why or why not?

Taurus :: 2nd house
Finish the sentence “Money is…” fifteen times. Write it down in list form.
Money is _______________
Money is _______________
Money is _______________ (etc.)
Notice what different words and ideas come to mind when you contemplate what money means to you.

Gemini :: 1st house
What beliefs need to be released for me to re-gain the confidence to express myself with joy and conviction? How is this manifesting in my self-talk?

Cancer :: 12th house
Write a letter addressed to your Higher Self. Write down your questions about your life. Using your non-dominant hand write the answers.

Leo :: 11th house
How can I make more space for my hopes, dreams and aspirations? What is my brightest future vision for the collective? How can I spread this idea?

Virgo :: 10th house
What conversations need to be had to make adjustments in my career? How could I be thinking differently about my career?

Libra :: 9th house
What new philosophical or spiritual horizon am I feeling called to explore? Is change hard or easy for me? What has been my past experience of big change?

Scorpio :: 8th house
What am I ready to move on from in my life? What kind of journalling ritual would support that “letting-go” process?

Sagittarius :: 7th house
What relationship in my life feels a little “sticky.” What past experience does this feeling remind me of? What conversation needs to be had?

Capricorn :: 6th house
Wh are two simple adjustments I can make in my daily schedule or workflow that will create more efficiency in my life? How can I hold myself accountable for sticking to this?

Aquarius :: 5th house
What are easy ways that I can add more creativity and self-expression to my life? Why is self-expression important to me?

Pisces :: 4th house
What are my true feelings about: work, money, relationships, sexuality, health and spirituality? In which areas am I inspired and empowered to shift my feelings?

When your practice becomes a crutch it could be time for a spirituality detox, says Victoria Cox. Artwork: Elayne Safir

Elayne Safir

I’ve been fascinated with the esoteric side of life since I was a little girl, but in recent years I’ve been delving a little deeper. Kundalini yoga, tarot, energy healing, astrology, crystals, meditation. You name it, I’ve probably tried it.

And lately I began to notice that whenever life got more intense, I would lean a little harder on these practices.

I’d pull a tarot card every day (okay, sometimes several), check five or more astrology sites religiously, and my morning meditation schedule became a non-negotiable. To the point I began to wonder if, instead of utilizing these practices to gain a deeper meaning of life, I was using them to numb out. After all, I was no longer experiencing the blissful results and striking insights I’d encountered initially. Simply put, the whole thing was starting to make me feel neurotic.

So, what was a girl to do?

In a twist of irony, my question was actually answered during an energy healing session. After listening to me whinge about how I was working so hard on myself yet my anxiety levels were creeping higher, I was informed I was being put on a month-long “spirituality detox.” In short, it was time to cut the woo-woo and get grounded.

Here are the five signs that showed me I was in need of a spirituality detox. If anything sounds familiar, you might decide to join me…

A daily practice becomes a daily obsession
For me this was Kundalini meditation. At first, the results were impressive; I was calmer throughout the day and found myself less likely to get sucked into life’s dramas. Yet, as external challenges mounted, I became more rigid about my practice. I had to do it no matter what.

There were mornings where I woke up tired yet pushed myself through the practice, counting the seconds until I was finished. My morning “meditation” was beginning to feel more like bootcamp, and I was no longer enjoying it. As a result, the benefits I’d experienced when practicing from a place of reverence, began to ebb away.

Pursuing spirituality for personal gain
Over time I’d acquired a toolbox of sorts to deal with life’s rough patches. If was feeling anxious, I journaled about my feelings. If I was feeling uninspired, I meditated. If I wanted to create something new in my life, I would use visualization techniques.

These tools were extremely helpful in getting me through hard times, but I was starting to use them in the good times too, to satisfy my ego desires—opposed to spiritual yearnings. And then when life didn’t go exactly the way I wanted it to, I became angry. I realized that in using these practices this way, I was buying into the idea that the the Universe somehow “owed me”—and was mystically designed to reward selfishness, when actually the opposite is true.

Self-helping vs. self-medicating
I noticed a pattern of behavior that went something like this: waking up after a boozy night out I’d feel a familiar sense of self-loathing about having drunk too much. To alleviate these feelings, I would head straight to a yoga class to clear my head.

Feeling better about myself, I would then come home and have a glass of wine—undoing all the good work I’d done in class! I was essentially using my practice as a quick-fix means to feel better in the moment while ignoring the real issue (why I’d drunk too much again)—instead of a way to learn about myself on a deeper level.

Searching for the next spiritual fix
Living in New York, there are a classes and workshops offering every spiritual answer under the cosmos. Energy healing; Chakra cleansing; Past-life regression. You name it, it’s here. While this is wonderful in many ways, I noticed how the sheer abundance of choice made it feel like there was always one more thing to try.

I began to convince myself that I needed to do every treatment, attend every event. I was treating these revered spiritual arts like a mass consumer, always looking for more instead of stopping and simply asking myself what I was trying to heal.

Spiritual neurosis
I discovered that my motives were becoming completely anti-spiritual, as I indulged in a sort of metaphysical materialism. Over time my beloved practices had morphed from a source of comfort into a supposedly mystical way to manifest my worldly desires.

Instead of wanting to go to a sound-bath at the end of the week to relax, I felt I had to go—or I would be missing out on some great revelation about myself. I wasn’t. I was living my life wrapped up within my ego’s neuroses instead of living from my heart.

Once I saw clearly how I was misappropriating my spiritual practice, I asked my energy healer what I needed to do.

Her prescription?

No mind-altering substances (i.e. alcohol) for 30 days. Stop reading or engaging with all esoteric information. Cease all meditation. Stop all energy practices or group healing

Spend time on grounding activities such as house-cleaning. Practice intense cardio exercise. Sleep and rest. Spend time in nature. Take plenty of salt baths to detox the body and drink lots of water.

Initially it seemed like too big of a pill to swallow. But as I deleted my astrology and tarot apps from my phone I already began to feel lighter. When my alarm went off at 7am for my morning meditation I almost squealed with pleasure at the thought of sleeping for an thirty extra minutes. I relished the empty weeknights where I didn’t have some class to attend.

IMAGE4 21-36-03-790

I knew it was the right thing to be doing simply because it felt so damn good. I felt like a child taking a month off from a very strict boarding school. Admittedly the hardest part for me was not drinking alcohol; I didn’t partake during the week, but I’ll be honest and admit that I still dabbled, albeit lightly, some weekends.

And once the thirty days were up? There were some practices, such as Kundalini yoga, that I was dying to get back into—simply because they made me feel better. But there were others, like my incessant tarot card pulling, that no longer held any appeal.

Most importantly, my experience taught me far more about myself then I’d learned in my obsessive pursuit of all things Now Age. I learned that the spiritual path is a long and meandering one; that there are no quick fixes or shortcuts.

Most importantly it taught me to listen to my heart instead of my head, and to always ask myself if what I’m seeking is in service of enlightenment or egotism.

Have you had a similar experience to Victoria? Share your thoughts with the Numinous tribe Instagram and Facebook, or in the comments below…

A reading for the Gemini New Moon – PLUS the essential questions for each sign to journal with, to make the most of the cosmic energy…By Hannah Ariel

gemini new moon 2016 the numinous

“Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two.”
–Octavio Paz

Gemini is easily misunderstood. We use words like “tricky” and “flighty” and “fickle” to explain this sign’s ability to weave in and out of worlds of ideas, concepts, and even illusions. But replace these words with ARTFUL, playful, adjustable, and you get a picture of the kind of magical thinking, the sheer ingenuous creativity that is Gemini.

With the moon in Gemini, we are naturally oriented to move between intellectual realities—and yet for all our mental processing, the conscious expression of this astrological placement would be to arrive at something that resembles a decision; a perspective; a point of reference.

This year’s Gemini New Moon (June 5th at 15 degrees) is an opportunity to get CLEAR about what to do next, particularly in regard to our personal CREATIVITY. Our relationship to our creativity and our relationships to the people who either bring the juiciness out or just suck the fun out of it will also be highlighted.

Prior to the Moon and the Sun joining forces, Venus will have been moving alongside the Sun in Gemini all week to clarify a connection between what we think we want, what kinds of interaction our personality craves, and if we are living this truth.

Venus in Gemini isn’t as sentimental as it is logical. Information is valued. Ideas are valued. The sensible application of the two is valued. At this time, it will seem like simple logic to do away with what no longer tickles your fancy. Seriously. If you’re not being stimulated, excited, and delighted, then it’s a time to think about why, and which part of your personality is being ignored.

This Gemini New Moon is also precipitated by a GRAND MUTABLE CROSS. What the heck is that? Why does it matter? What will it mean?! Well, to get technical about it, this cross is a squaring of energy—a confrontation so to speak—of four planets in all four mutable signs: Sun/Venus/Moon in Gemini in opposition to Saturn in Sagittarius meets Jupiter in Virgo in opposition to Neptune in Pisces. PHEW!

This configuration is not meant to confuse but to bring you closer to what is, what isn’t and what will continue to be true for you. A Grand Cross asks us to deal with conflicting realities head on to create one NEW one. Unsettling? Sure. Scary? No. Just be prepared to make BIG decisions this summer…decisions that will carry you into a whole new creative cycle.

In beginning this self-enquiry, included below are some questions to aid you in a journaling ritual this Gemini New Moon. Engage. Keep it real with yourself. And keep in mind, with Neptune about to go retrograde June 13, your answers may not appear logical to anyone but you—so simply follow your OWN intuition.

This your opportunity to clear the decks, to create as much clarity as possible, and make room for some brilliant breakthroughs.

*These are suggestions for your SUN SIGN. However, if you know which house in your chart the New Moon will take place in, take this into consideration too.

**As much as Gemini rules writing and self-reflective journaling it also rules conversation. Cerebral discussions, heart-to-hearts, and astrological and/or tarot consultations of all kinds are favored right now. The key is to make this energy work FOR you, so don’t get dragged around by the universe. Get in the middle of it. Think about it. DO something about it.

:: ARIES ::
Where am I channeling my mental energy? Where am I getting lost in mindless chatter? How can I speak more of my truth? What mental myths need to be dismantled? How can I see the bigger picture, and why it is so important for me to trust my intuition right now?

:: TAURUS ::
How am I spending my time? How can I re-organize my priorities to align with my values? To what extent am I aware of my financial reality, and do I recognize where I need to depend more on my own resourcefulness?

:: GEMINI ::
Am I always tapping into ways of doing my own unique thing? Where am I shutting down in fear of being heard or seen? Who am I placing too much value in? With Sun/Moon/Venus in Gemini, it’s time to learn and love all of YOU.

:: CANCER ::
What needs to be retrieved from my imagination? Where is my lack of faith? When did I stop believing in the impossible? Where am I living in a state of mistrust?

:: LEO ::
Who truly inspires me? How can I be an inspiration to my friends? Where can I take the lead more, and when do I find myself blindly following along with others?

:: VIRGO ::
Who am I finally and fully expanding into becoming? Do I see the beauty in the big changes and encounters that life has gifted me with? What am I taking for granted? Is it time to release my grip on something or someone?

:: LIBRA ::
Where are the holes in my own belief system? How can I patch them up? What new lessons does my life want me to incorporate? Where do I stand on forgiveness?

:: SCORPIO ::
When was the last time I let myself fall in love? Do I continue to value what the experience of love honestly offers me? When was the last time I gave myself permission to feel grounded and whole?

Am I living up to my word? What have I become responsible for? Where can I lighten up my load? With Saturn in Sagittarius you may be taking on more than you need to. Consider: what structures serve me and which can I release?

In what ways do I consider myself to be spiritual? Do I know how to take a time-out and spend time alone with myself? How does it feel to be in my body these days? Am I truly thriving and enjoying my day-to-day?

What can I use to express myself creatively? How can I update my personal toolbox? Do I trust myself enough to truly honor and express my unique gifts? Who invigorates the deepest parts of me? Where am I being drained?

:: PISCES ::
How can I feel more securely connected to my roots? Am I allowing myself to fully let go of memories and people who haunt me? What takes up space in my heart—and what can I let go? How am I sacrificing myself to please others?

To book a reading with Hannah Ariel contact: [email protected]

See beyond limitations, and tomorrow’s Sagittarius New Moon has the potential to manifest a breathtaking outcome, says Hannah Ariel.

Reading for the new moon in sagittarius on The Numinous

“When you step further into the story you came to live, not only does the mythic territory open but the self moves and the world of imagination and meaning comes toward you.” – Michael Meade.

Think broader, see bigger, explore, envision, have more faith, hold more space. The Sun entered Sagittarius November 22, and as you may have begun to experience already, this energy encourages expansiveness beyond belief – quite literally. When it comes to Sagittarius season, it makes no difference what beliefs you have preoccupied yourself with, or what you always perceived to be the case. There is a fundamental desire now to move beyond what has been experienced into what could be experienced.

Think of this Sagittarius New Moon as the moment you enter your spaceship and get to dial in the direction of your destination. Now expand your vision as far as it can go. Sagittarius is the spirit that perceives the future – pure visionary consciousness! So where is life taking you to these days? Intuitively, where is the horizon? Which story line are you following? Are you aware of the signposts? Do you see what is possible?

Luckily, this is also a Jupiter ruled Moon. Being the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter opens our eyes to see the bright side and the bigger picture, offering the optimism and inspiration to look beyond our current circumstances. Jupiter has everything to do with opportunity, intuition, spiritual journeying, good fortune, and benevolence.

Because Sagittarius is mutable fire, experiences may take on any of these themes and manifest in a number of forms. Be prepared to spread yourself out a bit more than you’re accustomed to. Set yourself free. The archetype of the constellation itself is depicted as the archer after all, with its arrow pulled back ready to fly. Intend to seek out opportunities that will restore your faith in the boundless potential of your life.

Look to what inspires you and get inspired to go in that direction! Hold the vision in your mind like that arrow shooting toward the sky because with a Jupiter moon, nothing is quite out of reach – hit or miss, with Sagittarius it’s the experience of a meaningful journey that will expand your consciousness and, in fact, show you something even better than what you originally intended.

But let’s look at what exactly Jupiter is up to, to really get the message of this Sagittarius New Moon clear. As Jupiter continues on its journey through Virgo (since August) it is now nearly conjunct the North Node – an evolutionary portal that is currently asking us to be more discriminating on the daily. Jupiter in Virgo wants to heal our relationship to our physical reality by first fixing our attention on the details that aren’t adding up; our routines, our habits, the little things we say and do.

It’s our destiny to understand how we can take practical measures to change what no longer works, and instead organize ourselves around specific, tangible goals. With the South Node (the wisdom of our past life experiences) in Pisces, we can trust the subtle nature of the divine to show up in this process – it’s just a matter of defining which vision, which belief structure, you are looking to serve.

Without honoring the energy of the Jupiter/North Node conjunction in Virgo, New Moon intentions can easily slip through our fingers. It could be easy to accidently let go of control all together at this time, and instead of experiencing a divinely guided reality, be left to clean up a mess you don’t remember making!

Jupiter is also making a square aspect to the Sagittarius New Moon, suggesting there may be a blind spot; it’s in our best interests to pay extra attention to anything we may be prone to overlook. In contrary to the expansive nature of this New Moon, it can be a time where foresight will pay off in a big, unexpected way. A square in astrology is a transit that can amplify the potential of the energy available – when used in the right way – so there is capacity now for an outstanding outcome.

As Mercury will have just entered Capricorn, a cardinal earth sign, it is indeed a favorable period to carry out solid plans. Make good use of the thoughts and visions that are coming to you now. As you have an idea, apply it. Get grounded in it. Understand the potential of its real-life application and see how successful it can be.

One other aspect we will feel very strongly, exact around this Sagittarius New Moon, is the Mars in Libra opposition to Uranus in Aries. If you recall, at the October 11 New Moon in Libra, it was the Sun that was in opposition Uranus – reminding us how uncomfortable we are in certain positions, and ultimately liberating us from roles we’ve played one too many times.

Now, here comes Mars to take action on what’s been uncovered. What breakthroughs in identity have you had? How has your self-perception shifted, especially within your relationships and the people you are attracting? These realizations will act as your best friends during this Sagittarius New Moon, as this opposition will be sextiling it from both sides.

Act out the internal changes and realize every breakthrough and breakdown has opened us up for the journey to come. Fire needs space to breath new life into. Taking action to clear what’s in the way only creates more room for more expansive, meaningful opportunities to come to life for you. Now that’s a whole lot of beneficial astrology, so remember; Make inspired intentions, serve them well, and they will serve you. Bring your imagination to life.

To book a personal reading with Hannah Ariel contact: [email protected]


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CHELSEA transfer target Gianluigi Donnarumma is in talks with AC Milan and his agent Mino Raiola over a new contract, according to reports.

After a stand-off, the 21-year-old goalkeeper is now in contact with the club for a new agreement which comes as a blow to the Blues.

Donnarumma has some big choices to make as he decides his future
Donnarumma has some big choices to make as he decides his futureCredit: Rex Features

CHELSEA NEWS LIVE: Click here for the latest Blues news

They had harboured hopes of nabbing the youngster on a free next summer, even after the signing of Edouard Mendy.

But with Donnarumma and his notorious agent Riola now in discussion with Milan, Chelsea will have to watch on nervously to see if anything is agreed.

Italian outlet Calcio Mercato report that the goalie does want to stay with AC Milan and is willing to extend his contract, which runs out in June 2021.

Discussing Donnarumma last month, club legend and technical director Paolo Maldini suggested there was little reason to rush.

The 52-year-old told Sky Sport Italia: "He has played 220 games with Milan at his age, that's absolutely uncommon. The more he goes on, the more he becomes a leader.

"He is a leader in training and with his behaviour. His growth has been truly exponential.

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also believed to be ready to swoop, meaning Chelsea will have a fight even if contract talks break down.

Donnarumma on a free would represent extraordinary business if the London side could pull it off, and would make a big contrast to their signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The club splashed a colossal £71.6million on the Spaniard to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

But he has made a string of errors over multiple seasons and has recently been replaced by £22m Edouard Mendy from Rennes.

Kepa was believed to want a way out but changed his mind.

Kepa does superb triple save during Chelsea training

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Are you ready to party and share your recipes, DIY projects and craft ideas? Are you ready for the weekend?  It has been a long week for me so I can’t wait to be lazy for a few days, enjoy watching a few movies and checking out your new links. Let’s get this link party started and please allow me to introduce to you The Party Bunch!
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Amy from The Idea Room, Mique from 30 Handmade Days, Heather from Whipperberry and Desiree from The 36th Avenue want to thank you for partying with us… You guys are the best!

Here are some of our favorites!

Heather’s Favorite

Icosahedron Pendant Light at The Gathered Home.

I just love the fun and unique geometric shape.

Mique’s Favorite

Pear Crisp at Clean and Scentsible.

It is almost…too beautiful to eat!

Amy’s Favorite

Nut and Berry Salad from I Heart Naptime.

This salad looks so delicious and healthy.

Desiree’s Favorite

Snickerdoodle Pound Cake a la mode at Lil Luna.

Oh my goodness…this looks so yummy!

As always thank you for so may fabulous projects and recipes!

We hope you take a minute and button up here!

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Also we want to invite you to click here and follow

The Party Bunch Favorites on Pinterest.

We are featuring more of our favorite projects and recipes from the link party on this board!

Follow The 36th Avenue .com’s board The Party Bunch Favorites on Pinterest.

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The 4 most stylish cafes in Amsterdam

1) Café Schiller

Inside Café Schiller it seems as if time stopped in 1913. Originally it was just a hotel, the bar was added in the early 1920s. It soon became a hotspot for artists and sophisticated city dwellers. Frequent visitors included the sculptor Ossip Zadkine and the comedian Fien de la Mar. Numerous paintings from that era still decorate the building.

Amsterdam - Café Schiller

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Could Newsweek Have Been Saved?

Now that the demise of (the physical version of) Newsweek has been widely taken as emblematic of the fate of magazines generally, here comes the backlash view: Actually, according to Ryan Nakashima of Associated Press, things haven't been so bad for the magazine business as a whole:

The water is so warm for the magazine industry that in the first nine months of the year, 181 new magazines were launched while only about a third as many, or 61, closed, according to publication database

So does that mean Newsweek/Daily Beast editor Tina Brown and/or her chief source of financing, Barry Diller, should be blamed for the unnecessary death of an American institution? Nakashima suggests as much, quoting a journalism professor who says, ''Newsweek did not die, Newsweek committed suicide.'' (Yes, I know: If you commit suicide you do die. But you know what he meant.)

I don't have a firm opinion on who, if anyone, is to blame for the death of the corporeal Newsweek, so I solicited the views of two of the magazine's most distinguished alumni: Jonathan Alter, who covered seven presidential elections for Newsweek before relocating to Bloomberg View, and Mickey Kaus, who relocated from Newsweek several times, to various places, and currently resides at the Daily Caller.

Mickey was characteristically pithy and undiplomatic:

Tina Brown didn't kill Newsweek. It was dying already. But her attempted resurrection seems like a fantastic debacle, starting with the first cover story, an ode to Hillary that read like it was written by Kim Il Sung's second-string copywriter. Actually it was unreadable. The whole NewsBeast enterprise oozes desperation and BS PR hype even though she's hired some good people.

Jon focused on what might have been done to save the magazine:

Newsweek is one of the few media brands that is truly global, and giving up its print presence around the world is kissing off a major asset. If he didn't want to sell it, Barry Diller could have cut his losses to the break-even point (and waited for a rebound in the cyclical ad biz) just by slashing the rate base and moving toward a much smaller circulation or even controlled circ. The idea in Tina's statement that we're moving to an "all digital" media environment is wrong. In the 1920s, people (including FDR) thought radio would mean the end of newspapers and in the 1950s they thought TV would mean the end of radio. In truth, old media doesn't die, it just goes from mass media to niche media. The same will happen to print. Baby boomers raised on print won't give it up entirely until they die off four or five decades from now.

As for why the loss of Newsweek matters: Jon put this in historical perspective:

Newsweek has been an important part of the American and global conversation for 80 years so this moment should be seen as sad not just for those of us who worked there but for everyone. Look in the index of almost any book on public affairs--Robert Caro's is only the most recent example--and you will see citations from Newsweek, which provided great reporting not just on Washington but all kinds of things. It's really annoying that someone stupid inside the company at some point sold the online archives to a fly-by-night outfit that makes it really hard to find old stories (more than five or ten years old) and charges for them when you do find them. This is a blow both to historians and to kids writing papers who for generations used the bound volumes of Newsweek for research. One of my many regrets about the demise of Newsweek is that we've gone from being a primary source to going down the memory hole.

If you'd like to read Mickey's entertaining conflict-of-interest statement re him and NewsBeast, it's at the bottom of this post.


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As new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence continue to grow in influence the very nature of what work means and how it is organised in the future will be radically reconfigured. Not only are new technologies reshaping the types of jobs available but also new practices such as ‘crowdsourcing’ and ‘gig work’ in the ‘sharing economy’ are reinventing and reconstructing the relationship between employers/ employees.

In a panel discussion held at the University of Auckland, four experts discuss what these changes might mean for the young in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Panel Members:

Nik Green is from the New Zealand Productivity Commission and is involved in a review for the government on the future of work.

Judith Bessant is a Professor from RMIT Australia and author of The Great Transformation: History for a Techno-Human Future.

Wendy Kerr is the Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland.

Nicky Jones is a Senior Consultant at MartinJenkins.

For more of our audio and visual content, check out our YouTube channel, Mixcloud page, or head to the University of Auckland’s manuscripts and archives collection.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this discussion reflect the opinions of the guests and not necessarily the views of The Big Q.

See Also:

What is the future of work in a techno-human world? ▶

Can cooperatives transform the nature of work? 🔊


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Jack Kerouac 1922 - 1969

Jack Kerouac
1922 - 1969

When Jack Kerouac burst on the American scene in 1957, with his book On the Road, he had invented a new style of writing. This new style of spontaneous bob prose was inspired by jazz, poetry, local talk, vitality, joy, sentimentality and sincerity that fused into a stream of consciousness spontaneous prose style that became his trademark.

The Times reviewer, Gilbert Millstein, wrote: "Just as, more than any other novel of the Twenties, The Sun Also Rises came to be regarded as the testament of the 'Lost Generation,' so it seems certain that On the Road will come to be known as that of the 'Beat Generation.'"

Overnight Kerouac became a literary star, even though he had been carrying ‘On the Road’ in his racksack for many years trying to find a publisher. Kerouac’s first novel The Town and City, was published in 1950, but was not well received. And for the next seven years Kerouac wrote constantly, struggling to find his voice as a writer and despairing at the lack of interest in his work.

The success of “On the Road”, allowed for his works to be published, a series of similar novels, including The Dharma Bums and The Subterraneans (both 1958), Doctor Sax (1959), Lonesome Traveler (1960), Big Sur (1962), and Desolation Angels (1965).

The novel, On the Road, drew public attention to a widespread subterranean culture of poets, folksingers, hipsters, mystics, eccentrics and Buddhists. Kerouac accurately captured the restless spirit of the post-war generation struggling to break free from the conformity of the fifties. The novel On the Road, portrayed young people who were hungry for experience and hopeful to discover a new vision, a way of living free from such bourgeois considerations as moderation, respectability, security, and self-control in an era of cold-war conformism.

They meditated, listened to jazz, shared their mad ideas, experimented with drugs, made love, appreciated nature, bummed around and took to the Open Road. Later they would be defined as the ‘Beat Generation’. This group of emerging artists shared their visions, ideas and experiences as they tried to define them selves and explore their inner creativity in an Orson Well’s hell. Like the bohemians of the 20’s and 30’s, these artists were rebelling against middle class values.

Kerouac was ill prepared for his sudden fame in the late fifties. He was hounded and overwhelmed by mobs of people hungry to see a legend. A legend shaped from a book he had written six years prior regarding events that occurred many years before that.
Withdrawing into paranoia and alcoholism, Kerouac sank into obscurity. On October 21, 1969, at the age of 47, Kerouac died from an internal haemorrhage at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Web Link >>

Selected Poems by Jack Kerouac


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Cliq Chair

The bottle-sized chair for anywhere! Literally, this chair folds up smaller than some water bottles—and we know what you are thinking: "How can such a small chair actually be comfortable?" Well, we thought the same thing until we tried it.

We value community input. Let us know how you jive with this product so we can continue to build the most bomb-diggity-dot-com on the internet.

You gotta know when to hold em’, know when to fold em’… into the size of a water bottle.

Traditional folding chairs are kind of lame. They are not comfortable and they are even less portable. When is the last time you were out on a hike or a walk and thought, “It would be nice to sit and enjoy this view right now.”? Well, it happens quite often to us. And you know what, our butts are tired of sitting on the ground. Your butt deserves the best. That is why we think Cliq chair could be huge—pretty ironic for a chair that folds up smaller than a water bottle.

• It's extremely compact!

• Really comfortable for being so small

• It's no La Z Boy

• Now we don't like hikes without it


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The Broker Online

Farming as a business

Bob van der Bijl is managing director of the Netherlands-African Business Council.

Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC) is activating the Dutch private sector for market development and knowledge transfer to local farmers in Africa.

Since April 2012 the Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC) has been running two 3-year programmes in agriculture: one in poultry in Ethiopia and another in dairy in Kenya and Uganda. These programmes are partly financed by the Dutch government and have a dual objective: enhancing knowledge transfer to local farmers (strengthening the sector) and encouraging Dutch companies to become more active in Africa. We formed two groups of companies, knowledge institutions and NGOs that aim to trigger market development in these two sectors. It is widely known that a large proportion of the rural population in Africa is working in the agricultural sector, mainly as subsistence farmers with limited surplus production. At the same time we see sharply rising demand for food products in African cities, as a result of continuing urbanisation and rising income levels. Increasing the purchasing power of African consumers is an important driver of development in the agricultural sector, but international demand for these products is also an important factor.

On the basis of these developments, we predict a rapid consolidation process in which subsistence farmers will largely exit the agricultural sector. Production will take place on large-scale commercial farms (often financed by private capital or industrial conglomerates) and medium-sized farms. Medium-sized farms are currently limited in numbers, but NABC is focusing on this group in its sectoral programmes. A typical example is a Ugandan farmer with 100 milk-producing cows with a limited yield per cow, relatively poor farm management and unfavourable terms of trade with the milk processor. It is our aim to set up demonstration farms in which Dutch companies can showcase their knowledge and technology. The interesting thing is that we have identified private farmer initiatives in both Kenya and Uganda. Given the general lack of confidence in the public sector, medium-sized farmers have united themselves in a network where they share experiences and help each other to improve the results of their farms. In Uganda we are working with a group of 50 farmers, and in Kenya with a group of 30. On the basis of one demonstration farm, we can therefore already reach 30 to 50 high potential farmers. Besides medium sized farmers, we can also reach smaller farmers: farm staff on the demonstration farms will be trained to function as a trainers for farmers from the surrounding area.

Our vision is that it is very important to have role models. Presently there are only very few local farmers who can make a good living and who are able to formally employ their workers. In the coming decades the African agricultural sector will develop towards larger scale production units that can deliver high-quality products on time. This consolidation process will give a strong boost to production. At the same time we see a need for fragmentation on the processing side, which will give the farmers more options in terms of who they sell to. This will improve their bargaining power. Many farmers will also get together and establish their own processing operations.

What does this mean for the subsistence farmers who are now leading a difficult life in rural areas? Those who stay will work for larger farms, in processing plants or in other sectors. However, most subsistence farmers will probably move to urban areas. This will create more space for larger farms, but also a need to create employment in urban areas. This is illustrated by an anecdote from the Netherlands. In response to the question “What was the best impulse for rural development in Friesland (province in the North of the Netherlands)?, someone replied “Philips establishing a big factory in Drachten (city in Friesland), creating thousands of jobs for the smallest farmers!”

Author: Bob van der Bijl

About the author

Bob van der Bijl is managing director of the Netherlands-African Business Council.

Want to know more?
Get in touch with us


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21 Father’s Day Gift Ideas to Suit Every Dad

21 Father’s Day Gift Ideas to Suit Every Dad

Another Father’s Day is fast approaching and sadly, it can be easy to fall into the pattern of getting Dad the same old Father’s Day gift ideas. Forget socks, jocks, or chocs! You want a unique and thoughtful gift that actually makes Dad feel special.

Instead of a cookie-cutter gift (or even a box of cookies) why not get Dad a personalised present that actually suits who he is? We’ve pulled together our pick of Father’s Day gift ideas to suit all kinds of dads. So, whether you’re after a sentimental gift or something a little more fun, get it sorted stat! Read on to find out more.

The Sporty Dad

Got a Dad whose eyes are perpetually glued to the screen to watch the latest footy match? Or perhaps he’s always bugging you to go outside and toss a ball around? Either way, there is a range of gift ideas available for sports-obsessed dads out there, such as:

The Culture Lover

Does your Dad love his culture? If he loves a trip to the art museum or you can’t tear him away from learning about language or travel, these Father’s Day gift ideas will be a pleasant surprise for him!

  • Abstract art is perfect for art lovers, and it’s an easy way to please anyone. All you need to do is find a design that matches the décor in Dad’s home office and you can find a fantastic print for him!
  • A wall art print of Aboriginal art. This art form represents the long history of a beautiful and interesting culture
  • Travel prints to remind him of his favourite places all over the world
Father''s Day gift ideas

The Tech Nerd

What about the techie dads? The best thing about shopping for tech-obsessed dads is that you can never have too many gadgets and tech gifts. There’s always some new and exciting geek gift for techies. But what do you get the tech nerd that’s got everything?

tech gifts

The Nature Lover

Is Dad constantly out in nature, going camping, or trying to drag you along for a bushwalk? If so, we’ve got some great Father’s Day gift ideas for him!

  • A split canvas print of a beautiful landscape. This could be a photo of his favourite hike, or a new mountain he wants to conquer, like Mount Everest!
  • An acrylic print full of his favourite wildlife photos
  • A photo cushion with photos of you and Dad out in nature
Father's Day gift ideas nature

The Travel Enthusiast

If Dad loves to travel, he’s probably feeling a little glum right now. If he hasn’t been travelling for a while, it can be nice to look back on fond memories of travel and reminisce. Here are our top Father’s Day gift ideas for the travel enthusiast:

  • A travel photo book so he can look back on all his favourite travel moments. Simply import all his travel photos and you’ll have a beautiful book ready to flip through
  • A photo mug with a map of the world or one of his favourite travel snaps
  • A wall display with some of Dad’s favourite travel memories. Or, you could help him dream of new destinations with a wall to remind him of all the new places he’ll travel to in future

The Foodie Dad

Is Dad always whipping something up in the kitchen thinking he’s a contestant on MasterChef? Or perhaps he knows all the newest restaurants even before you do? Either way, it sounds like he’s a bit of a foodie! If so, we’re sure he would love any of these great gifts!

  • A wall art print of his favourite foodie culture. Perhaps it’s an Italian meal in a vineyard or a Greek foodie feast?
  • Why not make Dad a delicious breakfast or a gourmet dinner? The effort you put into it will show Dad how much you care.
  • A wall art print featuring Dad’s favourite recipe. Simply create your design on Canva, and be sure to select the “Poster” template when creating your design. Export your design and upload it to Canvas Factory to create your print. Too easy!
Father's Day gift ideas foodie dad

The Sensitive Softie

Is Dad a sentimental soul? If so, he’ll be touched by any meaningful gift. Anything you’ve put lots of effort into will tug at his heartstrings! Here are our favourite gifts for a sensitive softie Dad.

  • A metal print with a meaningful quote. Dad can hang this in his home office, man cave, or his bedroom
  • A photo collage of all your favourite times with Dad. Get together with the family and share all your favourite family photos. Then, compile it as one beautiful, high-quality artwork that Dad can hang in his room
  • A themed photo mug or a stubby holder with a picture of just you and Dad. Photo mugs are super affordable, yet will show Dad that you care without the need for words

We hope these Father’s Day gift ideas have inspired you. Whichever gift you settle on, make sure it’s personal, thoughtful and unique. After all, you’ve only got one dad! Dad will love your gifts even more knowing that you’ve taken the time to think of what he would really love. To find the perfect gift for Dad, start exploring our extensive range of canvas prints, premium prints, and photo gifts today.

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Articles by Ben Walls

About the Author
College Fix contributor Ben Walls is a student at Virginia Tech majoring in multimedia journalism. He is the news editor for the Collegiate Times and an active member of Students for Life of America.

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