New Moon in Sagittarius

Journeying with Sodalite

Nov 28, 2024

When the holiday season is on the horizon, for many it is a time of joy and expectation. Those with a structured religious faith and those with secular beliefs alike can experience the sense of wonder that is ushered in with the Sagittarius season. Jupiter is the jolly bringer of good joy and spirit.

However, in the Northern Hemisphere, the light is diminishing to its lowest point; what is there to be jolly about? Sagittarius is the centaur with a bow aiming backwards towards Scorpio, shooting a blazing arrow at the Scorpion, keeping the pervading darkness at bay so that the Sun can be reborn at the very end of the season, the rebirth into Capricorn, where the Sun begins its slow ascent back upwards through the trials of winter to its peak at the Summer Solstice.

Darkness can be a difficult place for many, and the effects can be seen in the modern era as Season Affective Disorder, SAD. Though darkness is also a time to allow our minds and bodies to rest, sleep comes easiest when Nyx settles Her cloak of starry brilliance over us each evening.

With Mercury travelling retrograde this Sagittarius season and Jupiter opposite in Mercury’s sign, the need to balance the rational and the spiritual and to redress past actions and assist in dealing with some thought patterns that are outdated and ready for release can be something to work toward as we delve into the space between absolute darkness and the spark of hope that brings forth the rebirth of light.

Sodalite

Beautiful royal blue with flecks or stripes of white and black, Sodalite is a stunning crystal to work with. Its most beneficial attribute is its ability to calm the mind in extreme circumstances. If you are prone to panic attacks, this is the crystal to have on you when you know you are going to be in a position of induced anxiety. Job interviews, public speaking, air flight, family gatherings etc.

Sodalite also connects the logical and spiritual mind, bringing us clarity with our dream work and meditation, enhancing recall and neuroplasticity.

Physically, this crystal assists with calcium uptake, supports the immune system and balances the metabolism.

For many of us, whether we have a religious practice or just enjoy the secular celebrations at this time of year, we can be pulled into a lot of meetings, parties and family gatherings that, though on some levels, can be enjoyable, on other levels, can be anxiety-inducing.

Add travel and communication to Mercury retrograde, and even the thought of getting together with folk can be very difficult. It is natural for humans at this time of year to want to slow down, relax, and curl up peacefully, yet the modern-day world is attracting our attention with endless meetings, shopping, feasting, parties, and gatherings. Sociability can very quickly become tiring, and we can suffer mental and emotional burnout.

Sodalite is the perfect ally to have on your body and is as beautiful as jewellery.

Sodalite Ritual of Gifting

You will need a sodalite crystal. A crystal ball, or some jewellery, bead necklace or bracelet are ideal.
Three items:
- one gifted to you by a person from your past
- one from a person from your present
- one that you are going to gift to someone. Maybe a piece of Sodalite is just the thing!
A note pad and pen
Optional extras: Wrapping paper, materials, gift bag.

Preparation

Mindfully clear your working space. Dust, vacuum, and clear away distractions. Light some incense or a scented candle to enhance the ambience. Use tingsha bells, drums, or other instruments to clear the energy. Try doing this with some relaxing music, a nature soundscape, or, if you prefer, silence. As you put away the items, consider how useful they have been and how they have helped to make life easier or more enriched by their presence.

The Ritual

Sit at a desk or table and place your three items and your Sodalite in view before you. Light your candle and use the flame to guide you into a calm, relaxed, awake state. Look just above the flame and breathe normally. Feel the energy in and around you change subtly as you concentrate on the flame and your breath.

Pick up the item gifted to you by a loved one from the past. It could be someone who has passed on from life to death or possibly someone you are no longer in contact with, but you enjoyed their presence when they were in your life.

Study the item intently. Try to be objective and slightly detached from the emotions you may have attached to the person at first. Just study the item. Do you like the way it looks and feels in your hand? How does the energy feel if you close your eyes? Is it different? Can you picture the person and the time they gifted you the item?

Once you have studied the item, make a mental note, write down or contemplate your findings and thank the person for the gift. If the item is still helpful or you want to keep it for its beauty or sentimental value, thank the person who gifted you this present and place it back on the table before you. If you decide that the item is no longer relevant to you at this point in life, still thank the person who gifted it and ask them to accept that you are releasing that back to them. Decide how best to recycle the item as a charity gift or pass it on to another family member or friend who may find it helpful.

Do the same with the second item. Hold it or lay your hands on the item and see how you feel about it. Do you like it? Is it functional or beautiful? As Marie Kondo says, does it spark joy? This time, remember how you felt when you received the item. How is your relationship with that person now? Can you improve your communication with them to bring about happier, more harmonious times when you are next together? Do you need to create better boundaries with this person?

Take the time to mentally note or write down your feelings without judgement or resentment. Write a private gift note to the person and think about how you can cultivate a healthier, happier relationship with them in the future. Maybe you will come up with an idea for the perfect gift for them to reciprocate.

Now, before you place your hands on the last item you are gifting, think about the person it is going to. Place their image in your mind, see their face, and imagine handing the item to them. Is this something you know they would like? Is it beautiful or useful? Is it an item they can use or something they can keep? What kind of gift do they like to receive? Is it a consumable or a keepsake? Maybe even a voucher or a promise to spend time with them. A picture you have drawn or painted, or a letter, song or poem you have written. A gift does not have to cost you money; sometimes, the best gift is YOUR presence, not a present. Everyone is different, and all our relationships are complex.

As you sit with the gift in front of you, lay your hands on the item and send love to the person who will receive it. You could do this with all the gifts you send and spend the time mindfully wrapping each item as an individual ritual rather than a hurried last-minute rush. Make the time to sit and wrap each gift with love (and eco-friendly wrapping, too, a piece of cloth, a scarf, or a paper bag that can be passed on, maybe?)

Once you have spent time with the last item and wrapped or packed it ready to give, take your Sodalite in your hands, close your eyes and think about any of the meetings, family gatherings or parties you have planned. When you swap gifts of either an item or your time, there is an energetic exchange. If you can prepare beforehand to go to these meetings with a sense of ease, the time exchange will be a more effortless experience.