Feature Image by Scott Webb

Quick Facts: 

The money tree, Guiana Chestnut, is one of the most prosperous plants in the kingdom. It can be found in swampy conditions and they love the humidity. Their home bases of Central and South Africa are what give them a love for the heat. It has a braided stem that leaves you mesmerized with bold green leaves. While it improves your air quality, they also attract good vibes towards you.

Spirituality and Symbolism 

The money tree represents good luck and fortunes to whoever has it. It also brings positive energy that’s why it’s good for stress, anxiety and sleep. When it’s being given as a gift, those vibes are even higher and both people involved will benefit. Depending on the person, each unique trait of the plant can mean something different. Whether it be the number of leaves on steam or the height, it’s a token. 

Full Moon: September 20th – 21st 

Keywords: organize, work, collaborate, trust, commitment, recuperate, take breaks

It’s time to take a break from the heat and chill out. Virgo season is all about getting tasks done and as summer comes to it’s time to get our grinds on, productively. We’ve taken the time to have fun in Leo season so now it’s time to take the confidence we’ve been carrying with us to Virgo season. This next month is filled with ambition, opportunity and success personally and professionally. From August 23rd to September 22nd, get ready to put in the work while living your best life. 

Ambition Here We Come

Ruled by Mercury which is all about communication, this earth sign is super focused and ready to complete the task at hand with little distractions. This analytical sign has a big brain and heart which gives them a powerful stance when it comes to putting their all into projects, passions and people. With loyalty running deep it can be easy to depend on Virgo’s if you have their trust and love. By being willing to go above and beyond for the people they’re the closest to, they need to be weary to bend and not break. They’re very reliable and can count on them to follow through with their word and commitment. Represented by the Virgin who recognizes the angel and devils we both carry on our shoulders and which direction to go with. Virgo’s including Pink, Mother Theresa, Prince Harry, Beyoncé, Keanu Reeves are all prime examples of individuals who have worked their way to be known by standing by what they believe in and working hard to get there. 

Work-Life Balance 

This next month is all about getting down to business. If you find yourself having racing thoughts, take a minute to stop and reflect on what your chaotic thoughts are about. Just because we’re staying focused, doesn’t mean we don’t have time for some fun. This could be a perfect opportunity to collaborate with someone(s) to expand on your own ideas and stay chatty while working. While we can get wrapped up in trying to get things done as fast as possible and squeeze in as many items into our day that we possibly can, it’s crucial to give yourself breaks. Let this be a good goal-setting time for the next few work months on how you can get your work done without sacrificing your mental and physical health, plans and more to get it done. Maybe this means altering your routine to create some extra me-time or scheduling designated break times and actually not thinking about work from your work. Putting all of these into practice will bring you to getting more work done and with a more upbeat attitude about the work ahead. I think we can tell why school was meant to start in September. 

New Moon, Harvest Moon & Fall Equinox 

A new moon in Virgo will appear Septmber 6th to welcome intention setting and give as half-way check-in point for this season. On September 20th we’ll witness the Harvest Moon known for its yellow appearance and as a sign to finish any tasks before things start to get a little chillier. September 22nd starts the autumnal equinox, also the first day of fall. This marks the sun rising and setting later, beautiful crisp leaves and cooler afternoons. Take time to make personal goals as well as the professional ones we mentioned. It can be super easy to get wrapped up in the hustle of to-do lists that we forgot to do ourselves. It’s also not time to be a perfectionist either. Making a goal to the journal is productive as we’re already in the groove of getting things done and it’s personal writing without needing an approval or higher-up edit. Throw on the old classic Harvest Moon by Neil Young and soak up the rest of warm nights.

Image by @digital_errors

Full Moon: November 12-15

Keywords: abundance, turning dreams into reality, rewards, release, positivity, embrace, financial uplift, strength, stability and energy

Can you feel it? There’s a collective uplift in mood and a sense of security and positivity. After months of not knowing what was coming down the pipe, of worry and feelings of insecurity, of intense energy that pushed so much to the surface, this full moon in Taurus is finally confronting us with the truth. And the truth is, things aren’t so bad after all. In fact, they are pretty amazing.

2019 was a year of truth. Many of us were called to come face to face with our shadows, our inner truths and our deepest fears. Why am I not happy? Am I feeling challenged enough? Am I being pushed too hard? What changes do I need to make? Who or what in my personal life is no longer serving me? Am I willing or trusting enough to let go?

Sweet Release 

For many of us, this full moon in Taurus will bring a great sense of release. We overcame a lot in this past year, and faced a lot of hard truths. And at the end of the day, the world didn’t end. The changes didn’t damage us. We are still here and we are strong and there is great power in that. So honour your year under this full moon and allow stresses and burdens to melt away. Throw unnecessary worries from yourself and focus on the possibilities that ahead, for there are many great opportunities under this full moon and we will do well to open our hearts to the bounty that is up for grabs.

Harvest and Abundance

A theme of the Taurus full moon is one of abundance, especially in areas of finance. It’s time to cash in on your hard work. Allow new possible streams of financial rewards and allow them to flow into your life. You have certainly worked hard this year and it is time to harvest with a heart of full of gratitude. The full moon around Taurus is an excellent time to seek out new financial gains or to simply allow them to flow into your life. Remove any resistance you may have towards your gains. You are worthy of receiving.

That said, be mindful that your focus is not resting too hard in the material world. While financial abundance can bring a sense of security, remember that happiness does not come from things. Invest and save money wisely and do not be seduced by material things that promise quick fixes to non-problems.

Make It Happen

The time has come. Planetary alignment is on our side during this full moon, increasing our chances of making magic happen. Our dreams and goals have a supercharged energy behind them. Put in the extra work, the extra meditation, the extra intention and manifest what you came for when we started 2019. Make it happen and remember to express gratitude along the way. If things didn’t turn out exactly as planned, reflect and look to lessons we can embrace. Take what you have learned and embrace the bounty. Allow the beautiful life you came here to experience happen. You are worthy.

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.

Moon Cycle: August 11th – September 8th 

New Moon/Super Moon/Solar Eclipse: August 11th 

Keywords: A new you, the next phase, bravery, courage, time to shine, self-appreciation, royalty, strength, energy, family bonds

Phew! It has been one crazy summer full of powerful celestial phenomenons. High planetary retrograde activity, combined with a series of powerful eclipses, a Blood moon, Super moons and more. If you are feeling a tad shook from it all, it’s completely understandable. In fact, this moon cycle will finalize a highly transformative summer for most of us, whether we are aware of it or not. Shifts happened within ourselves and out in our physical realm. For example; did you get a new job or big client? book a trip? have a baby? undergo a friend-group turnover? All transformations, big or small, that occurred this summer will be showing up in different ways through to the end of the year.

While July’s moon cycle called in the introspective feels of Cancer, as we step into August’s new moon on Saturday the 11th, we are invited to channel the powerful energies surrounding the brave and courageous Leo, the Lion. It may almost feel as though we have rested and reflected these past few months, set down the ground work, and really felt our way around our new roles and selves. All the while we were strengthening the foundations of our stages to ensure they are solid and firm for the next great phase in our lives. We are now finally ready to let the world see us for who we are and show what we can do.

The Solar Eclipse

Saturday’s new moon will align with a solar eclipse, a brief moment of darkness were we can finalize our intentions regarding what we want to achieve between now and the end of the year. Make sure to find a quiet and reflective moment during the new moon phase to write these intentions down clearly. Tell the universe EXACTLY what you want. Even if it may seem like too much, set the intention, and write down clearly (i.e. I want to make $5000 more a month). The universe has plenty for everyone. Play close heed to the 8 moon phases this month. Each will be extremely important in guiding you through this Lion cycle with intention and purpose.

You’re Going to Hear Me Roar! But Carefully 

The most important thing to remember for this August moon cycle is to allow the Lion within to come out. While being humble is always important, we are invited to celebrate our unique virtues and strengths this month, putting them to good use in order to get what we truly want. Embrace and channel confidence. Believe in yourself and give yourself the royal treatment. Lions are regal and strong.

But remember, Mercury remains in retrograde until August 17th, so while we are encouraged to speak our truth, do so with caution. Communication can get messy during this time. Further to that, don’t confuse bravery and confidence with pride and boastfulness as it can lead to embarrassment or loss. Practice humility, embrace discussion and evaluate all your options carefully before marching on into judgement or action.

Now go get it, Simba!

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.

averie woodard

When it comes to tapping into our spiritual side, it can often be viewed as an intimidating process, or at least a very serious one. And while finding alignment with our inner being is certainly a powerful and serious affair, it must be remembered that the entire point of finding that spiritual connection is finding our capacity for the greatest joy.

As the Law of Attraction tells us, it isn’t until we are truly happy that happiness will become abundant in our lives. For those who are looking to dabble in the world of wellness and woo-woo, we wholeheartedly suggest making your first foray into the space as fun and joyous as possible.

We’ve curated a bundle of our favourite ways to bring spirituality AND smiles into our journey for alignment.

That’s So Retrograde Podcast

Hosted by besties Stephanie Simbari and Elizabeth Kott, this is more than just a witty take on the woo-woo space. These girls get into it, interviewing shamans, astrologists, meditation experts, comedians, and experts in health and wellness, all with a highly relevant pop culture spin. If you’re looking to understand a bit more about the moon and the stars and the newest trends from wellness-mecca, LA, then this is the podcast for you. The ladies are hilarious and offer a refreshingly light-hearted take on the universe and all its beautiful complexities. Check out more here.

Do Arts and Crafts

Some of the most powerful activities in our spiritual journeys involve (biodegradable) glitter and glue. Vision boarding, for example, is one of the funnest ways to get your inner being’s most powerful desires and intentions out in front of you in an exciting and creative way. You can even invite your friends and make a party out of it. All you need is some old magazines (great way to up-cycle), bristol board and glue and get going. Allow the pictures to speak to you. Cut them out and collage.

Other fun activities include bullet journaling your spiritual intentions, sketching, and painting.

Image: Estee Janssens

The Kawaii Tarot Ap

Filed in things we’re kind of obsessed about, the Kawaii Tarot app is the cutest way to get a tarot reading in a pinch. Perfect for tarot newbies who are looking to understand the intricacies behind the practice.

Tossing Things Out

Ok, this may sound like a chore, but there is nothing funner than tossing out that which no longer serves you. It is one of the easiest ways to generate a sense of instant gratification and an appreciation for a visual change. Everything like old clothes, old beauty products and bits and bobs that are weighing you down; get rid of them! Let your inner being guide you to know what you truly do not need in your life anymore as you make room for all that is fresh and new, both physically and mentally.

We must make space for the things we want in life, whether it is physical or spiritual abundance we’re after. Remember, the things we own have their own energies and frequencies. If you’re holding on to something, even something as simple as clothes you no longer wear, it is possible your spiritual frequencies are connecting with the past and creating potential roadblocks for the future abundance you wish you draw into your life.

Once you do old items toss out (or donate or recycle), make sure to give your space a once over with palo santo to reset the energy in your home or office (very important).

Image: Averie Woodard

Traveling 

Next time you’re travelling, take time out to understand a bit more about the spiritual practices of the people who live in the country you are visiting. Often times, the wholeness of our spiritual selves is compiled with the elements we resonate with from other cultures, including the people and practices we have encountered. And there is nothing more eye-opening than being immersed in the culture of another country. Take everything in, listen, observe and appreciate the values of the people around you.

Aside from the people around you, it is vital for our spiritual selves to take advantage of being in a new place as a means of gaining insight on who we are and who we want to be when we are back at home. Travel often comes with the gift of being our most authentic selves so regardless of whether you are travelling with your partner or a group of friends, ensure you have some quiet reflection time to appreciate the present moment, acknowledge your feelings and recognize what about the traveller within you you would like to bring home.

Image: Joshua Earle

Go To an Event 

Gathering with likeminded people, even those who may be a bit more advanced in their journeys, is one of the most amazing ways to feel connected, aligned and as though you are on the right path. It can be anything as simple as a creative learning workshop, a full moon gathering, a wellness talk or even a yoga + beer class (they’re super awesome). Anytime you step out of your daily routine and move towards a new space, you are showing the universe you are open to growing, learning and transforming. Plus, it’s a great and productive way to shake up another night of Netflix.

Check out Eventbrite and our own event section, where we curate amazing, welcoming experiences.

Image: Geert Pieters

Remember, above all, if something doesn’t make you happy, your inner being is totally not into it. When we feel good, we are best positioned to make the powerful and transformational shifts we desire to grow full and completely into our spiritual selves.

A Brief History

Recognized for its violet beauty and spiritually guiding powers; Amethyst is known to be a calming and meditative stone that brings in a balanced peace. Zambia, Brazil, Uruguay and the U.S are the most frequent places Amethyst is mined.

Linked to the Crown Chakra, these crystals hold power to minimize negativity while at the same time radiating positivity. Amethyst’s serenity enhances higher states of consciousness and meditation; which can help align and unblock chakras for those who are on their path to enlightenment. Use its energy of contentment to soothe the conscious mind and relax after a long stressful day.

Daily Application

In the Workplace

Amethyst’s healing energy is especially useful for work-related stress. Since it is linked with communication, intuition and The Crown Chakra; it’s believed to have the power of increasing work effectiveness. Amethyst in the office facilitates not only the decision-making process but also brings in common sense and spiritual insights into practice.

In The Home

Amethyst in the living room can help grow families bond together and create positive, open communication with them.  Placing an amethyst somewhere in the bathroom is another way to relieve stress during a soothing bath.

Meditate

In a room with calm energy and soft lighting, you can use an amethyst cluster or an amethyst point to send energy and intentions into the universe. Place the amethyst in the palm of your hand, and breathe in the violet energy of amethyst. Before finishing take one last breath and slowly open your eyes as you breathe out.

Below are easy ways to incorporate Amethyst into your daily life:

Mala Prayer Beads

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Meditation Candles

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Crystal Face Oil

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Amethyst Crystal Essence

Amethyst Crystal Water Bottle

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Tear Drop Pendent

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Jonas Svidras
We’ve all seen the “Hustle Align” memes on Instagram and depending on where we stand on the Law of Attraction we either can get behind that messaging or reduce it to another woo woo philosophy.

In a society that rewards the results of constant action, it’s not uncommon to put the “hustle” on a pedestal. Results of what we believe are constant action can be seen in the unbelievable bodies of people who are always at the gym, or the material displays of wealth from those whose “hustle” has brought them the success we crave for ourselves. Instagram doesn’t help. We see many of these people sharing messages of the “hustle” on social media and in short,  it’s bad for our own vibes.

Our society values beautiful, hard bodies and we praise and admire those with money. Therefore we, in turn, feel that in order to achieve these desired results, we have to “hustle”.

Now, of course, as with everything, it is important that we put in the work and the action for the things we want and need to survive. We cannot expect the universe to give us money, wealth, security and health simply because we want it.

However, based on the principles of the Law of Attraction, it can be argued that focusing on working harder and longer can be the exact  thing that’s stopping us from reaching our goals.

Alignment Vs. Hustle

The Law of Attraction is based around the principle that the universe will give us experiences that meet our internal vibration. Our energy vibrations are what attracts similar experiences into our existence. For example, someone with positive energy is vibrating at a high frequency. That person will be more likely to attract more positive experiences into their day-to-day, and into their life in general. Someone who is constantly focused on the negative in life is out of alignment and vibrating at a low frequency. The probability of that person attracting positivity into their lives is also low. Therefore, no matter how much that person “hustles” they will not get the results they want from the action they are taking.

Not only can negative thought processes put us out of alignment, when our bodies are exhausted and stressed, and we are neglecting our own self-care, i.e. skipping the gym and not making time for proper nutrition, our inner vibrations will start to match our physical state. Therefore the universe will continue to bring us experiences to match our vibrations and no matter how hard we’re working, we may feel like we’re getting nowhere.

When our bodies and inner beings are in alignment and we are vibrating at our highest frequencies, our actions will render more positive results. Therefore, we may not have to work as hard as we think we do to get the results that we want.

I Don’t Believe That, You Crazy Woo Woo Witchy Website, You’re Nuts

Was that your first thought? It’s most people’s first thought, as we have been trained by our society that overworking ourselves is the only way to get the results that we want. But overworking ourselves is counterproductive. When we are coming to our tasks from a place of happiness, excitement, and well-being, then the energy we put out into the universe through the work we do will be more likely to come back to us with positivity.

For example, when you go to the gym after nurturing your body with good nutrition and rest, you are likely to get more out of your workout, which will in turn help you see better results. When you go to work feeling satisfied in the balance you have created in your life, you will be vibrating at a more positive frequency. The results you truly desire will come.

Satisfaction and Gratitude

Not only does our mental and physical well-being help with our alignment, it is important that we express great gratitude for what we have in order to be able to welcome more abundance into our lives. For example, if we are going to task from a place of desperate need, (i.e. I need to get four new clients this month in order to pay the bills) then you are putting a sense of need into the universe. You will attract more instances into your life that will make you feel like you need something.

When we are in alignment, we are able to express great gratitude for all that we have. We come to our task from a place of gratitude and the universe will bring us more to be grateful for.

In short, action is important. We can vibrate with positivity all we want, but unless we follow our intentions with action, we will not achieve what the results we want. In order to get the results we want faster, we must take care of our minds, bodies and souls to ensure our vibrations are at their highest frequency as we head into action..