One of the loveliest things about a full moon is that you can reap the benefits of it for three days leading up to it, and three days after. Especially this summer, when so many of us are booked solid socially, it can be a relief to know that you can still practice magick and soak up the moonbeams on more than one night of the week. One of the simplest rituals that I enjoy practicing is to open up a shade and a window where I can see the moon and feel it shining down on me. I close my eyes and bask in the moonglow. If you have some nice bike paths in your neighborhood, fill up the tires, put on your helmet, and turn on the lights for a leisurely full moon bike ride.

THE HOLLY MOON

This is the time of the season where even if we blissfully ignore it, our bodies sense the shift and harvest about to happen August 1st. (For some fun ideas to celebrate Lammas/Lughnasadh, consider a small bread baking party.) We will start going inward in our minds, even while we are still able to enjoy the often- beautiful weather outdoors. For many traditions, the Holly King is reigning for now, and the dark half of the year is his time. This isn't a reason to be sad, just perhaps more introspective. Take more time out to meditate. Think about what you'd like to manifest yet before this year comes to a close and jot it down in your journal. Or noodle out a spell in your Book of Shadows to help bring your goals to life. This can be a period of planning and preparation. You can also enjoy a Corn Moon celebration later in the month—if you can squeeze it in!

SHADOW ENERGY

My 10th episode of my "Women Who Howl at the Moon" podcast features Milwaukee Artist Anja Notanja Sieger. We have a spirited and lively discussion about her passion for podcasting and her shadow puppetry art. Her podcast is called, "The Subtle Forces," and always features intriguing topics and musings to listen to. You can learn more about Anja and her artistic endeavors on her Facebook page. We all can learn profound things about ourselves when we're not afraid to delve into our shadow sides. Find out what Anja's Pagan practices are and what she likes to howl about here:

https://soundcloud.com/colleen-duvall/women-who-howl-at-the-moon-ep-10-anja-notanja-sieger