Waning Moon in Aries

The Moon strides through strong Aries today, flowing energy with the Sun in passionate Leo. The two luminaries, the lights in our sky, walk together in signs of Fire, inspiring us to break new ground and achieve great things.

The Moon wanes, even as the summer wanes. We look to the harvest, the fruits of our labors, to see how we will fare for the coming winter. We give thanks for the gifts we've received, and thanks for the strength in our bodies and our hearts that carries us through the good times and the difficult times.

This is the time of Lughnasadh, Lammas, the festival of first fruits. The full harvest is yet to come, but as we gather the first sheaves of grain, we bake them into loaves that are blessed on the altar, which is the origin of the name Lammas, or Loaf-Mass. In ancient times, this was the festival of Lugh, the great champion of the Tuatha De Danann.

Lugh was called Many-Skilled because he excelled in sport, battle, games and music. He was a man of high heart, ready to chance anything, confident in his ability and strength to carry him through to victory. Embodying the confident warrior spirit of Aries and the creative passion of Leo, Lugh stands as our patron and guardian.

Today, we are called to act. Our focus is on the harvest, the waning time of the Moon and the year. What needs to be gathered in? What needs to be released, composted for future growth? Where you have hesitated, decide today. Where you have held back, act now.

Lugh Lámhfhada was always a man of skillful action. Determined, courageous, not rash or willful, he acted with honor, in service to his people. This is not a time for impetuous anger, but for decision, doing those things we know we need to do, for the highest good of all.

The stone relief of the warrior blowing his horn is in the National Archeological Museum of Spain. The Strength card is from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot. Both available through WikiMedia Commons.