Monday, July 20th, the New Moon emerges in its home of Cancer. Take time for introspection, release, and surrender during this fertile and nurturing time.
Integrating Yoni Mudra into your meditation or yoga practice is a great way to tap into your divine feminine energy, creativity, and sensuality. Centering your hands over your Svadhistana Chakra, or Sacral Chakra, will bring your awareness to the pelvic organs and, if you have one, wombspace. While focusing on the Svadhistana Chakra, allow your intuition and inner wisdom to guide you.
The New Moon marks a period within the lunar cycle of quietness and turning inward. Take in the past month and reflect upon the highs and lows. What did you learn? Where did you expend your energy and was that a resourceful way to use it? If you find yourself being judgmental or beating yourself up, maybe that could be your take away from the month: learning to be more tolerant, gentle, and forgiving of yourself.
As the New Moon rises in the watery and emotional sign of Cancer, focus your awareness to how you are feeling, not just emotionally, but physically, mentally, and spiritually. Ruling the family and home, Cancer asks us to recognize where we are out of alignment in these aspects of our life. What does your ideal home or family look like? What things do you have control over to make that happen? If your biological family is unavailable or toxic, how can you create your ideal with partner, friends, pets, or plants? Where in your body do you feel sensation when you ask yourself these questions about home, family, security, creativity, reproduction and pleasure? How can you integrate these factors of Muladhara (Root) Chakra and Svadhistana (Sacral) Charka into your asana, pranayama, or meditation practice?
Svadhistana Chakra, the 2nd Chakra or Sacaral Chakra, is governed by the moon and the element of water, making it the perfect compliment for this New Moon reflection. Yoni Mudra centers and aligns the energy of Svadhistana Chakra. To do Yoni Mudra, make a downward pointing triangle with the hands, placing the tips of the thumbs together and tips of the index fingers together. Fingers all stay together pointing down. Thumbs come just below the naval as the fingertips are on the pelvis, outside of the hand meet where the crease of the legs are. This is your Svadhistana Chakra; your source of creativity of life and ideas, sensuality and pleasure, your ripeness and fertility, patience and prosperity. Maybe you dive inward with a sense of wonder and openess. Or, for more structure you might like a mantra or affirmation to work with while practicing Yoni Mudra. Here are a few that I really enjoy:
- VAM (vedic seed or root for Svadhistana)
- ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO (I bow to the creative energy of the Infinite: I bow to the Divine Channel of Wisdom)
- Breathing in, I feel abundance. Breathing out, I feel pleasure.
- I attract people who support and love who I am.
- (Inhaling) My nature is passionate. (Exhaling) My creativity flows freely.
- My boundaries are healthy.
- I am playful and embrace my inner child.
- Breathing in, I love my body. Breathing out, I value my body.
- I can take care of my needs.
- My sexuality is sacred.
- As I inhale, I am present in the moment. As I exhale, I am aware of my sensations.
- Breathing in, I nourish my body. Breathing out, I respect my body.
- I embrace change, giving my best to my future
Take your practice a step further by adding elements of pleasure to your atmosphere. Light a candle that smells good. Practice next to a body of water that is peaceful. Make a cup of tea. Take an epsom salt bath with essential oils of ylang ylang, sandalwood or rose. Give yourself an oil massage or foot rub.
Do you have any mantras or affirmations you work with for the New Moon or Svadhistana Chakra? Let me know how your practice with Yoni Mudra goes. Post in the comments below, or send me an email!