As the new moon casts her shadow, I've drawn three cards to craft our collective intention and affirmation for this lunar cycle. What emerged is a powerful invitation to spiral inward, a gentle reminder that sometimes the only way out is in.

I used the Star Seeker Oracle deck as well as the Star Seeker Tarot and we pulled Contemplation, the Five of Cups, and the Four of Pentacles. Be sure to have a look at the cards to see what they awaken in you. Let’s dive in.

Contemplation

Our first draw brought forth Contemplation from the Star Seeker Oracle, inviting us to explore the powerful symbolism of the spiral. Unlike the chaotic feeling of spiraling outward, this card calls us to spiral inward.

When looking at this card the artist has us peering through a window towards a dreamlike vista. A cloaked figure, with staff in hand, stands at the heart of a spiral labyrinth. The figure's journey to the center is marked by the winding path behind them.

Serene waters stretch to the horizon, while ethereal clouds drift overhead, creating an atmosphere where the exploration of one's inner landscape merges with the magical realm. The entire scene radiates a sense of profound possibility, as if the boundary between the spiritual and physical worlds has momentarily dissolved.

In nature, we see spirals everywhere. We see them in shells, in the unfurling of ferns, in the dance of galaxies. Each spiral tells a story of growth that moves both inward and outward, reminding us that both directions hold wisdom.

Spirals speak nature's ancient language. While the spiral goes both inward and outward, there is unique power in the inward journey. Like the new moon's pull into darkness and stillness, we too are called to spiral inward, toward our innermost truth, where wisdom gathers in ever-tightening circles of understanding.

The Five of Cups

We pulled this card on the full moon, just two weeks ago. When an archetype repeats itself, the universe is gently (or sometimes not so gently) asking us to pay attention. This card invites us to wade into the depths of our emotional waters – to face the sadness, grief, depression, and other heavy emotions that we often try to avoid.

These feelings, though challenging, are not our enemies. They are teachers, guides, and parts of us asking to be acknowledged and held with compassion. Moving toward these emotions, rather than away from them, is an act of courage and self-love.

Don't be afraid of these depths. Just as the figure in the Five of Cups must eventually turn from the spilled cups to see the two that remain standing, we must fully acknowledge our losses before we can recognize what remains precious and whole within us.

Four of Pentacles

Completing our trinity is the Four of Pentacles, which brings awareness to how we might be gripping too tightly to our practices or beliefs. In this card, we see a figure completely absorbed in keeping their pentacles afloat. This is a perfect mirror of how we sometimes approach our spiritual practices or daily rituals, we become so tied up in them we forget we can try new things.

While this devotion speaks to admirable qualities such as diligence, discipline, and reliability, it also reveals a hidden cost. When we pour all our energy into maintaining what is, we leave no space for what could be. Like the figure in the card, we become so consumed with keeping everything perfectly balanced that we exhaust our resources for reinvention, renewal, and rejuvenation.

The Medicine

These cards are weaving together a story of transformation through mindful release. They remind us that true spiritual growth often requires us to loosen our grip on what we think we know, while maintaining enough structure to hold sacred space for our evolution.

Spiral Inward: Journal Prompts for Deep Reflection

Morning Questions (Choose one to begin your day):

• What part of myself feels like it's curling inward, seeking quiet? Describe the sensation.

• If I traced today's anxiety/excitement/hesitation back to its source, where would the spiral lead?

• Draw a spiral on your page. Starting from the outer edge, write words that represent what you're ready to release. As you move inward, write what you want to cultivate.

Evening Reflections (Choose one to close your day):

• Where did I feel resistance today? What's at the center of that tightness?

• What patterns am I noticing in my life right now? Which ones are asking to be unwound?

• If my heart could speak from its innermost chamber, what would it say?

Deeper Exploration:

• What cycles do I observe in my life right now? Which phase feels most present?

• What am I protecting at my center? What guards the entrance?

• If this moment of pause was a shell spiraling inward, what would I find at its heart?