Today on June 19th, the planets Mercury and Mars team up and directly oppose Pluto in a galactic face off that has tension, fire, volatile energy and conflict written all over it for us here on earth. It’s kind of the Sons of Anarchy gang confrontation equivalent of the planets. Things have the potential to go south and fast.

Mercury rules communication, technology and travel (you know how it goes when Mercury is in retrograde right?) so be prepared for short fuses, bad drivers, traffic delays and misunderstandings. Mars is an actionable planet that is ready to fight at the first call, so this puts our reactionary impulses in overgear. Everyone is stepping on everyone’s toes today and the energy of Mars is pushing us to stake our boundaries with strong defences, fists and fighting words.

Pluto governs our sense of power and domination throwing an actual time bomb in the midst, along with misplaced ambition and ego. This planetary confrontation is intensified by this week’s full moon with a light at the end of the tunnel on Friday as we welcome Summer Solstice.

In short, things could get ugly quickly today. If you’ve felt the energy around you or within intensifying, situations between you and friends or co-workers or your partner getting a bit elevated, or people overstepping their mark on your space both physically and metaphorically (at work, or in the coffee line at Starbucks) you are not alone. The planets are facing off and we’re all feeling the consequences.

Here are some quick tips and tricks for getting through today with grace.

Embrace the Fire and Repurpose It

While we tend to try to push our intense energies down, try leaning into them. With a mindful approach and understanding that how you are feeling today is not really in your control, nor can you do anything about the actions of others, embrace your intensity and put that fire towards accomplishing something great. Lock yourself in your room, avoid others and crush your deadlines. It’s safer inside today anyways, so why not cross some items off your list as your energies are burning inside? Clean your house with gusto. Go for a killer sweaty run.

Avoid Triggers and Reschedule That Meeting 

We always say alignment before hustle right? Sometimes recognizing that you are simply not in a proper mindset to address certain matters, tasks or conversations is the most mindful and responsible thing you can do for yourself. If you are feeling intensely off today, or that there is potential that a certain meeting, phone call, sales pitch or discussion with your client, relationship partner, co-worker or friend is not going to go the way you want it too, then reschedule it. Being mindful of where we are at internally at any given moment and honour it. If we listen to our internal energies and strive to find alignment before action, we will see better results.

Embrace Woo Woo

There are certain practices in the New Age belief system that will help you get grounded and find your centre fast. Turquoise is the perfect stone to have in your presence today for its grounding qualities as well as its connection to the throat chakra, which will aid in communication and confidence. Burning palo santo regularly throughout the day will work to clear any overly intense energies, while the scent will help get you grounded quickly and back in your body if you find your mind is getting carried away with unproductive stories and thoughts.

In short, a bit of mindfulness goes a long way. If you feel tensions and situations are getting out of hand, put a pin in them and come back to them when the planets aren’t at each other’s throats.

Image by @digital_errors

Full Moon: June 17th – 20th

Keywords: bigger picture, expanded view, potency, source, guidance, summer solstice, greater truth, wisdom, intuition, dreams, confidence

The June full moon, otherwise known as the Strawberry Moon, occurring when the wild strawberries become ripe for picking, brings an intensely potent new energy shift, as this full moon is aligned with the Galactic Centre, opening us up both to new opportunities and wider perspectives. The energy portal presented to us at the moment is extremely intense, and with Summer Solstice happening on Friday, all of the energies surrounding us are that much more magnified.

Is The Fire Too Hot? 

You may have been feeling extra emotional and reactive lately, burning with a fire you don’t quite understand or know how to direct. The energies of the divine feminine have been especially potent leading up to this Full Moon in Sagittarius, as it is aligned with the centre of the Milky Way galaxy, an alignment that has been recognized in many ancient cultures as the Womb of the Great Mother, birthing our galaxy into existence.

In short, our connection to our femininity, our emotions, our places of trust and fear, and anger and love have been pushed into overdrive.

With this course of feminine energy running through us, we may have recently become hyper-focused on the small, the immediate, the brunt of each emotion stinging with a start and bringing feelings of finality. If you feel like you have hit some kind of wall in your life, from a personal, professional, emotional or relationship standpoint, the Full Moon in Sagittarius is lending us a revitalized energy and invites us to kick down ANY wall. It is time to look at the bigger picture and embrace small hiccups as mere stepping stones to your more evolved self.

Strawberry’s Don’t Have Egos

Whether it is an opportunity or experience you want to see manifest into existence, or a change you are feeling called to from within, it is important to remember that many times our emotive states are being guided by universal energies. Our reactivities may be a result of frustration with the limits our human bodies put on us. We are constantly battling vices, ego, jealousies, hubris, and ambitions that are a consequential part of the human existence. We see things that we do not believe are fair and we react with anger. We see people who seem to have it all and we feel jealous. Everything may appear to be black and white, but truly we are a myriad of colours and energies that are constantly flowing and changing. Cells within us die and regenerate every single day. You are literally not the person today as you were yesterday.

As your human body ebbs and flows with the science of change, so must we allow our inner beings and our minds the same courtesy.

Your Higher Self is Calling

This is a special full moon, as we are lended the fun and carefree, adventurous characteristics of Sagittarius. If we combine the potent energy the universe is lending with the alignment of the full moon and the Galactic centre with the wanderlust characteristics of Sagittarius, we can actually find ourselves taking bold risks supported by positive energies that will move the dial towards our goals, hopes and dreams.

Before you take any leaps, regroup and get grounded. Take a five for a quick meditation and then just let it go. Jump into summer and make magic happen. The universe is behind you.

Full Moon: May 18th-May 21st

Keywords: Lust, death, taboo topics, emotional change and triggers, reconciling old traumas, sexuality, unconscious desires, connecting to our pleasure centres, empathy

Let’s Get Physical

Phew. The full moon in Scorpio is one lusty, heady and emotional period and you may be feeling a need to reconnect with yourself physically. Our inner sexual desires are called to the forefront and we are encouraged to deep dive into our fantasies, our urges and our calls to pleasure. Whether that’s alone or with a partner (or multiple) embrace the sexual prowess brought forward by the energies of Scorpio and get at it.

It’s Not All About Getting Busy

There are many other ways of honouring our sexuality without actually having sex. Our sexuality is apart of our human experience.  Women, for example, host creative potential and emotions in our wombs and sexual organs. By meditating on the power and beauty of our internal bodies, we are honouring our sexuality in a way that moves beyond physical pleasures. Take the time this full moon to gather and honour your divine femininity in a way that promotes bonding. It can be as simple as making time for a glass of wine and connecting with a best friend.

Emotions and Trauma

Our sexualities also house past emotional and physical trauma as well as current pains and angers. During this contentious period in history when women’s rights and bodies are being challenged and threatened, you may find many of your own emotions resonating to the forefront. Anger, betrayal, past traumas. We are housing quite a bit of sexually-driven anger in our bodies at the moment. You may be feeling extra emotional and slightly out of balance. Subconsciously we are experiencing the past rising up, including experiences that have been beautiful and those that have been terrible. You may find this translates into unexpected tears, inexplicable reactions, and snappy anger.

Shed The Old

When old emotions come up, we can let them go. With the Full Moon in Scorpio, we are invited to acknowledge our emotions, honour them and let past ideas and habits go. We cannot deal with things if they stay hidden, so let everything come up this Full Moon so you can express gratitude for your past experiences and finally move on. Summer is around the corner and it’s ready for you to step into it anew.

Full Moon: February 19th-21st

Key Words: Freedom, Excitement, Romance, Opportunity, Sex, Liberation, Potential

January and February may have felt as though you were put through the ringer, but fret not dear moon-gazer for your luck is about to change. Or at least your perspective is.

If you are noticing an uplift in emotion and a pep in your step that has been lacking the past couple weeks, you are likely tuning in emotionally to February’s full moon strong pull. This is a full moon abundant with an air of excitement and adventure, as well as courage and confidence. The goals and dreams you have been working towards in the past months may start to show signs that they are all attainable, possible and well within your reach with the bright light from our glorious moon. Now is a time to LEAN IN to those energies with complete gusto. The fogginess of the mind and convoluted clouds of low confidence are starting to part. You will feel shocks of electricity that startle you from this heavy winter slumber. Spring is around the corner and that is exciting.

Tensions in relationships may start to ease so take the time to nourish them with love and attention. If you have been facing a sexual wall, this full moon is a great time to set your mind to opening up, so to speak, nurturing both yourself and your partner with physical connection. If you have been struggling with relationship connections amongst friends or at work, this is also a great time to make amends.

And while we may be feeling excited, relieved, confident and happy, planetary alignment this full moon suggests that there will be some instances of falsity and power, ambition and people who may not have your best interests in mind. Simply keep that in the back of your mind as you move full speed ahead this full moon, fuelled by positivity and alignment. Don’t let false riches distract you. Stay pure.

Go back to the goals you set during the opportunistic new moon of February 4th. Assess how you felt when you set those intentions and how you are feeling now. Dive into the possibilities and liberate yourself from everything that has been holding you back. Now is the time to make your dreams come true.

Image by @digital_errors

Moon Cycle: February 4th – March 5th

Full Moon: February 19th

Keywords: Good news, hope, optimism, joy, spiritual awareness, growth, abundance, understanding, happiness, good fortune

While the first new moon of the year set us in the right direction towards achieving our goals and dreams in 2019, the majority of us may feel as though January really put us through the ringer. The Super Wolf Blood Moon illuminated the shadowy sides of our selves and our relationships. We were confronted face to face with our egos and for many of us, it got ugly. In defence of our ego and selves, we fought battles that, in any other time, we would have left alone or at least approached with an altered perspective.

With this new moon in Aquarius, we are invited to honour everything that came up in January, learn from it and let it go. This is a very exciting moon cycle and we need to be free of spirit, heart and mind to reap the gifts it will bestow.

We’ve Been Waiting for This One

This new moon is indeed one of the most positive moon phases in quite some time. The alignment of the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Jupiter are signs of good luck, great news, happiness and optimism. Essentially, if you have been putting in the work on either a spiritual, personal, relationship or career level, the rewards of your efforts will start to come to light. We can look forward to a season of abundance and joy. Observe your mind as it reacts to the abundance and gifts that come your way this month. Allow yourself to enjoy every moment of happiness and deserved joy. Align yourself to attract the opportunities that you want to come into your life. They are literally floating in your vortex, you just have to allow them in.

Listen to Yourself 

The abundance of this moon cycle will be bestowed upon those who have invested in their spiritual selves. Our inner selves will be active in guiding our decision making this new moon to bring us the best results. Take the time to listen to what your guidance system is telling you. Your gut will be a strong driver to your success. Tend to your spirit this month through meditation, self-care, quiet, exercise, and activities that bring you true alignment and happiness. It is in these places and states you will have access to the messages you are meant to receive, those that will guide you on a path to great success and wealth.

Gather and Circle 

This is a beautiful month for gathering and connecting with friends and spiritual guides. Meet up with friends, set up times for close bonding or simple outings. Or better yet, go to a circling ceremony for February’s full moon. Connection will bring you prosperity,

Image by @digital_errors

Full Moon: December 22nd – 24th

Key Words: Pleasant surprises, new opportunities, excitement, self-care, restoration, evaluation

What started as an aggressive, tense and anxious moon cycle on December 7th is now waxing into a full moon of joy and excitement. You may have found yourself on edge over the past couple weeks as everyone around us has been assessing their own personal growth and evaluating their year-long journeys. As humans, we tend to measure our successes by the external manifestation of our work and efforts; money, career advances, relationships, fitness goals. However, 2018 for most was a year of inner growth. Big shifts happened on the inside, and over this exciting full moon in Cancer, we may start to feel or see signs of those changes as they manifest into our external world.

Embrace the Possibilities

While a tendency towards doubt, fear, anger and hostility may have gripped us in the past couple weeks/months, this full moon opens our spirits up to embrace the exciting possibilities that are present everywhere. If we open our eyes or even make a slight change in perspective, we will see that opportunities for what we have been calling in over the past year are up close and present. This full moon brings an exciting energy that lends us the strength, happiness and insight we need to perceive occurrences around us as positive pathways. In fact, sometimes all it takes is a small shift in our attitudes to allow us to attract an incredible possibility.

Take a moment to mindfully shift your perspective this full moon if you find yourself sliding into negative thinking. It could make all the difference in taking a seemingly negative situation into one that is beautifully beneficial to you.

Expect the Positive and the Unexpected 

This is a wonderful full moon for pleasant surprises in your career, your financial situation and also for romance. Expect that what you want is coming your way and embrace joyful surprises. You deserve the happiness and it is not until we accept that we deserve good that good will come our way. Cancer’s energies will heighten your intuition, which is good as you may be called to act quickly if an opportunity comes your way. Further to this, your third eye may be working in overdrive. Expect insightful flashes of guidance and direction from your spirit guides and inner being. Listen with love and trust your gut.

Surrender to Self-Care, Restoration and Joy 

Turn off your head. Sink into joyful occasions with friends and family. Let the world go on without you for a bit. Turn off your phone. Practice presence in the moment. This is a beautiful full moon for gifting yourself with self-love, self-care and opportunities for happiness. If you are able to let go of the hustle mindset over this time, you will find you are more than ready for the excitement you have manifested and called in for 2019.

Image Credit @digital_errors 

Full Moon: October 24th – 26th aka The Hunter’s Moon

Key Words: Evolution, Change, Inner Strength, Self-Worth, Excitement, Personal Power

October’s moon cycle started with the new moon in Libra, with a spotlight on our partnerships and relationships. We moved into this cycle with a period of detoxification, purifying our lives subconsciously through interactions with others. People, situations and objects that no longer serve us are finding a way to remove themselves from our life experience. For example, you may have ended a working relationship or removed yourself from a toxic situation. Or you could have faced and overcome a difficult challenge, stepping into a new understanding of who you are and what you can do. Setting the stage for what’s next…..

It’s Time for a Change

The full moon in Taurus is an exciting time, bringing with it a level of uncertainty. For our ancestors, the October full moon was the Hunter’s Moon. With the Harvest Moon behind us, this is a time when we hunt and gather for the long winter ahead. From an emotional standpoint, you may be feeling anxious while ready to confront challenges ahead. This is prime game time. The stage is set for us to step into our personal power and make claim to what is fully ours. The question is, will you answer the call?

Taurus is an earthly, sensical, stubborn and thick-skinned sign. Channel that bull-like energy to propel you forward into the unknown and stake a claim on what is rightfully yours this full moon. The promotion, the client, the relationship you have been nervous to take to the next level. You deserve fulfillment in all aspects of life. This full moon will highlight what we feel is missing in areas of finance, relationships and material possessions.

If we can leverage this Full Moon energy through concerted action towards our intentions, we will see powerful manifestations unfold.

There Will Be Surprises 

Expect the unexpected. The moon is conjunct Uranus during this full moon, meaning this will be a period of change and uncertainty. The ride will be bumpy, challenging and incredibly exciting. Change is on the horizon and we are called to accept each and every new curve. Not all surprises are bad, although we may feel like it at the time. We will face situations that invite our true selves to rise to the occasion. Will you cower or will you stand strong in your new power like a bull? Leverage the strength and stubborn qualities of the Taurus. Stake unmistakable claim on what is yours. You have been calling this in for a while and now is the time to evolve into the next level of being.

Relationships

Both the Moon and Uranus are opposite Venus at the moment, signalling change in love. Avoid unnecessary tensions and dramas in relationships at the moment, including temptations and experimentations that could lead you astray from your true love. Channel the extra electricity running through your blood into positive sexual experiences, passionate flirtations and beautiful exchanges of body. This is the perfect time to give and receive with a partner, embrace love, sex and pleasure in positive ways that leave you feeling divine.

In Short
Now’s the time, you powerful being. Step into your hunter’s garb and stake claim on who you are and what you are here for; love, pleasure, success and happiness. Stock your shelves for the winter ahead and prepare yourself for the unexpected. A true hunter appreciates the game and can leverage surprises to winning advantage.

Image by
Anders Jildén

The Blood Moon is coming in HOT this Friday, bringing with it the longest lunar eclipse of the century. If you thought that the new moon energies of July 12th were intense, Friday’s full moon will bring some serious cosmic energies that may test our human capacities for stabilizing emotion and our responses to touchy interactions and not-so-sweet situations.

However, there’s no need to be fearful of a Blood Moon or a lunar eclipse. In fact, these phenomenons are a wonderful opportunity to work with intention towards achieving our goals, become more self-aware and to let go of everything that no longer serves us.

In order to do that, it’s great to have a clear understanding of what we are working with.

What’s a Blood Moon?

It’s totally not as sinister as it sounds. A Blood Moon is what happens when the Earth’s moon is in total eclipse. As the moon passes the Earth’s shadow, it adapts a rusty or reddish hue, as some sunlight that goes through the Earth’s atmosphere bends around the edges of our planet and will fall onto the moon’s surface.  Unfortunately, us North Americans will not be able to see the Blood Moon, while our friends in the Eastern Hemisphere will be able to get a good glimpse.

How Will The Lunar Eclipse Effect Me? 

Listen, there’s no sugar coating it. If you are a subscriber and believer in the forces and power behind the moon’s phases (and if you’ve found yourself on this site, you probably are) then yes, this one’s going to be intense. This lunar eclipse is highly influenced by the planet Mars, the planet that rules our feelings of aggression, desire, anger and survival. Mars focuses on immediate action as opposed to calculated and intention-based reaction.

This means that we may be more susceptible to reckless behaviours, especially if we are faced with particularly important decisions or situations. It is important that we are mindful to react from a space of being calm rather than giving into aggressive instincts.

The trick to navigating this celestial phenomenon is to remain mindful, grounded and full of intention. A Lunar Eclipse brings with it similar energies to a full moon, only much much stronger. Therefore, while there is opportunity for disaster if we do not stay mindful, there is also great opportunity to call into play the things you want to change.

How Do I Work With The Lunar Eclipse? 

Set Intentions

At Age of Lapin, we set our intentions every new moon and use the energy of the full moon to either emphasize our focus through ritual, ceremony, yoga, self-care, intention-focused meditation and mantra or journalling, OR we use the opportunity to course-correct, and set a new intention.

This powerful lunar eclipse offers us an incredible opportunity to highlight and focus on what we truly want to call into our lives. Not only is it an excellent time to reiterate what you may have set down as your intentions during the new moon, it is also an incredible opportunity to call in to play what you want to focus on and bring into your life over the next few months. Leverage the moon’s powerful energy on Friday to your advantage with an intention setting practice, such as journalling, vision-boarding or mindful meditation. The most important thing to remember is to write your intentions down, say them out loud or collage them on a vision board. Get them outside of you, into the air, the universe and into play.

Ditch What No Longer Serves You

This Lunar Eclipse is still leveraging that transformative and rebirthing energy from July’s new moon. Friday’s full moon is the perfect time to declare that you will not be carrying that which no longer offers you anything of value going forward. Look at your life and determine what you have been holding onto that has no more benefit to you. This could be an old friendship that is dragging you down, a pattern of self-doubt or a bad habit that is holding you back from your goals (i.e. negative self-talk or smoking).

Letting go is hard, but leveraging Friday’s energy will make it so much easier to stick with it. The universe wants us to have what our hearts desire so it is important to take advantage when the forces at play offer us natural gifts to rid ourselves of things that may be holding us from achieving those desires.

Embrace this time of rebirth by letting go and saying goodbye to anything that is taking you away from receiving your goals.

Gather and Embrace Ritual

One of the best ways we can leverage the energy of any full moon is by gathering and embracing a practice of ritual with likeminded friends and people. If your close group of friends aren’t into woo-woo or the moon, no worries. We love to curate full moon and new moon events happening locally from places like Eventbrite and our own beautiful community. No matter what your budget is, there are always beautiful gatherings happening throughout whatever city you live in, even free ones like the Soul Sister Gathering. 

Ritual can be practiced in a group or also on your own. If you are not so inclined to join a group, embrace a time of peace for yourself where you can focus with intention on what you want to achieve and let go of. This can be something as simple as attending a yoga class, embracing quiet meditation or even indulging in a ritual of self-care and self-love.

While April’s full moon goes by many names such as the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon or the Fish Moon, our favourite name by far is The Pink Moon. As true believers in the spiritual power of the colour pink, we cannot help but be slightly disappointed that Sunday’s full moon will not actually be the colour pink. April’s full moon is called The Pink Moon as a nod to one of spring’s first flowers to bloom; the wild ground phlox. 

Ritual is always important during a full moon, as this is when we are meant to move into full action to support our intentions set in the new moon cycle. It is also when energy and creativity are at peak, making it important to leverage our inner momentum towards the direction we want our life to go.

However, if the intentions set during the new moon cycle are not coming into fruition as we had hoped, it is perfectly ok to accept that with love and kindness. This means we must take the time to check in with ourselves, see where we are emotionally and physically and honour our progress.

As we head into spring, we are invited to embrace this opportunity on Sunday to shed anything negative that may be holding us back. It is time to truly let go of winter’s darkness and embrace the light, stepping into who we are and who we are wanting to become.

We’ve rounded up some of the opportunities in Toronto to gather with like-minded individuals and embrace ritual together on Sunday:

Soul Space Toronto — College Street and Ossington Avenue Toronto

Soul Space Toronto is holding a Tantric Kundalini Dance: Full Moon Sacral Healing Ceremony on Saturday, April 28th, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The ceremony costs $44 and will show you a combination of Kundalini Tantra yoga, guided meditation, sound healing, and rainbow energy healing to self-heal the entire energy body (Women Only)

Image Credit: Soul Space Toronto

Full Moon Meditation — 310 Bloor Street West, Toronto

On Sunday, April 29th from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. there will be a free full moon meditation class that offers Kundalini yoga and mantra meditation. This healing practice takes place at Tartu College as the full moon lights up the sky. All levels are welcome, even those who have no meditation experience and instructions will be given to you.  This event is a fundraiser, part of a four full moon meditation series that raises funds for charity: water and attendees have the option of donating online or bringing something to the studio.

Misfit Studio — 761 Queen St. West, 3rd Floor Toronto

Misfit Studio is hosting an evening of rising together and creating a new love of courage and clarity. Full Moon Goddess Circle: Pink Moon takes place on Sunday, April 29, 2018, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This event is intended to reprogram our bodies to feel nurtured and worthy of deep love. In this full moon circle, you’ll encourage yourself and others to shed their old skins. By the end of the evening, you’ll leave supported, renewed and ready to take on the world. Tickets are  available online for $44 and will be sold at the door $55

SMPLFY Studio — 890 B Dundas Street West, Toronto

Get the family involved in the Family Full Moon Gathering event that SMPLY Studio is hosting on Saturday, April  28, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. to  3:00 p.m. Connecting each family member’s intention can lead to one of the greatest and healthiest transformations. For only $20 your family can enjoy an environment for families to play, heal and learn together; along with taking part in guided meditation and enjoying live music. A guided journey will take place teaching junior and senior minds about the Full Moon, Spring Teachings and lessons on self-empowerment.

Are you hosting an event for the Full Moon? Get the word out and feel free to share  it to our events listing page.