Today’s new moon ushers in a Lunar New Year and we’re in for a year of fast-moving, innovative, and playful Fire Monkey energy. Are you ready?
I’m both laughing and shaking my head. After what seemed like a very tenuous start to our calendar year, things picked up, at least for me, late in January when Mercury moved out of retrograde. And now it seems like the speed of the moving sidewalk just got cranked up a few more notches. As I was setting intentions today, which I always do at the new moon, I was a bit startled to see how rapidly my calendar is filling up. I’m curious to see how I dance this year with the idea of experiencing time as my abundant ally while I’m playing with inviting in new more expansive energies. I suspect there might be some bumpy spots along the way, but I also bet I’ll get to put my guiding star word into practice a lot – LEAP. I love my word. It feels like a secret super power – I’m ready to leap over all obstacles. And I feel like I’ve got some bonus rocket fuel, given that 2016 is a leap year. Every one of you will be leaping with me as well – how fun is that?!
Speaking of fun, having been silent on the blog front for a bit, I feel like I have a great backlog of things to share with you. First let me introduce you to a monkey…
Isn’t it adorable? I’ve had the delightful time today of tying several of these cuties onto bottles of my Year of the Monkey auric sprays, ready to head them off into the mailstream. Doesn’t a flowered monkey just make everything better?
Given that we’re celebrating La Luna today, I also wanted to give you a peek at a wonderful necklace Monica of The Creative Beast created for me. I adore it!
And speaking of adoring adornments, here’s another one I’m loving…
While one of the things I most love is creating talismans, it’s also very special when I have someone else create one for me. This one was created as a collaborative project between Serpent & Bow and La Abeja Herbs and is entitled “The Artist.” It’s dyed with marigold and filled with various herbs, a moonstone, and bits of poetry from Rumi. It’s quite magical. When I’m not wearing it, I have it hanging in my studio infusing the area with creative mojo.
It’s certainly doing its job – I’ve got lots of fabulous projects underway and in the works. I’m hoping to tap into that fiery monkey energy and keep my stamina and my creative flow turned up full force. I think it’s going to be a very fine year indeed.
What about you? What treasures have made their way to you lately? What energies are you invoking for this Year of the Monkey? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Here’s another fire monkey picture for you, though this one is less “playful” and more “fierce.” http://www.deviantart.com/art/Monkey-on-Fire-119511554
Oooh, he’s a hottie – I got singed just looking at him. I hope he’s not in charge of the year.
Thanks for your delightful post Deborah! I love the monkey charm, so cute. I also like your word for the year “Leap.” It does sound like a super power word. Jumping over obstacles, taking a leap of faith, letting go. What a rich word. I haven’t chosen mine yet and you’ve inspired me. Will do so today and share in the group:)
I can’t wait to see what you choose (or are chosen by) Nancy – looking forward to hearing.
My grandson will be born this year! My little fire monkey. Yup I’m feeling the sillies already. Thanks for reminding me of the full moon today, Deborah.
Oh how fun Kimberly. Yes I think you’ll be dealing with a little dynamo. Better start resting up. 🙂
I mean new moon!!
LOL – I know. You’re just extra forward-thinking.
How fun!!! I am intrigued by your talisman dyed with marigolds. I may need to attempt a dye bath for some of my textiles this summer with them. That color is beautiful! I am sending pieces out into the world these days. No new treasures but I’m always on the look out. 🙂
I’m really inspired to play around with botanical dyes as well this year. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
I love that you’re in a sending out cycle – that’s always delicious isn’t it? And so is knowing that treasures and magic will return to you as well. It’s all part of the never-ending rhythm of things.
I love the beautiful blue necklace and the hand on your talisman – fabulous. Leap is a great word – it feels like the year took a leap forward a few days back – the evenings are stretching and all our exciting plans for the year are falling into place.
Have a wonderful February
Fil
Yay for plans leaping into place! And yay for the lengthening days as well. Wishing you a fabulous February and the best of leap years.
Too funny. Amy did a post this week on the year of the monkey too. So glad to hear your “leap” year is keeping you busy. Seems about right after a year of quiet withdrawal, doesn’t it?
It’ll be fun to see what shows up for all of us won’t it?
Hi Deborah – your word LEAP is a good one for a January start off … L for Love, E for Energy, A for Action and P for Positive … and your talismans are lovely to see – love the blue necklace one … cheers and have a good year ahead – Hilary
Oh I do love your energetic interpretation of LEAP Hilary! Here’s to a good year for us all!
Oh my goodness – that little flower monkey charm is the most adorable charm I think I’ve EVER seen!! Thanks for clarifying that we are in a FIRE monkey year – when I learned that each year not only has an a animal, but an earth element, such as fire, water, wood, I’ve been fascinated with each year of Chinese astrology. I’ve learned I am a WOOD snake, which certainly explained my love of all things related to wood, including PAPER and BOOKS! 😉
Thank you for sharing the moon necklace in your post Deborah! I am so glad that you like it!! I thought it would be fit for a ‘Lunar Daughter’ such as yourself!
And finally HOORAY for the Chinese New Year! I am using this time as a new year ‘do-over’ to complete my usual year-end journaling and set some positive intentions for this ‘new year’, especially as the first days and weeks of 2016 did not start on the most positive note =\ It’s good to have a ‘do-over’ and I’m glad to learn that it will begin with the playful energy of the Fire Monkey! The playful energy is a good omen, for sure!
Yes, yes, yes to do-overs and fresh starts! I think that’s why I like working with cycles so much, even within the really long cycles, they can be layered with smaller cycles, and there’s always a way to jump in. What a fabulous way to use the lunar new year Monica, and I think you’re not the only one who feels this as an opportunity for an official new beginning.
The Chinese system is fascinating isn’t it? And how perfect that you’re a paper/book-loving wood snake – love it! I’m glad for all your other loves as well, including jewelry making. 🙂
What beautiful pieces you have made for you. How special! Enjoy dancing through our extra day “leap year’ tomorrow.
Wishing you a lovely leap day as well Elda!