Book Review: Moon Meditations by Jenna Calabro

 

Title: Moon Meditations

Author: Jenna Calabro
Genre: Meditation - Spirituality
Publisher: Rock Point - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 13, 2022
Read: January 1, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Stop chasing sleep and start welcoming rest with these 365 peaceful, nighttime meditations to help you fall back to sleep with ease. 

Many familiar tales and legends have tended toward the belief that the moon has an impact on us both physically and metaphysically. Legends aside, we learn in school that the moon has control over the ocean’s tides, as well as many other elements and creatures on earth—so why would humans be exempt? The moon is more than its beautiful exterior. As a spiritual entity, it is known to have control over your emotions, mental health, and sleeping habits. With that in mind, Moon Meditations opens the opportunity for you to explore your spiritual connection with Luna. 

Illustrated with unique and stunning artwork, this book allows you to experience the moon’s full power through nightly meditations and affirmations, proven to help you embrace the rest, relaxation, and restorative sleep every night has to offer. These affirmations can be used daily to promote the power of self-worth and inspire self love, making this the perfect resource to help you tune out any distraction that hinders your rest and tap into the tranquility of the night.

Review: Moon Meditations by Jenna Calabro is a perfect way to begin the new year. Each day of the year (with the exception of Leap Day) is present and offers short meditative passages meant to help with self-reflection and a peaceful night's sleep. Lovely illustrations enhance the calming mood and encourages a meditative state of mind.

Every month follows a different theme:

• January - Empowerment
• February - Self-love
• March - Patience
• April - Authenticity 
• May - Growth
• June - Flow
• July - Presence
• August - Trust
• September - Courage
• October - Healing
• November - Transformation
• December - Inner Peace

Regardless of belief system, Moon Meditations is a perfect fit for anyone looking to start the new year with a new outlook and greater inner peace.

Book Review: Moon Energy for Beginners by Simone Butler

Title: Moon Energy for Beginners

Author: Simone Butler
Genre: Spirituality - Astrology
Publisher: New Shoe Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Read: November 8, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Awaken, heal, and manifest your goals by connecting with the sacred feminine powers of the Moon 

The Moon, which waxes and wanes in predictable cycles, is the symbol and path for finding empowerment and strength in the cycles of birth, growth, death, and renewal. Moon Energy for Beginners, adapted from Simone Butler’s Moon Power, shows you how to honor the primal feminine powers—intuition, emotion, sexuality, creation, communion with nature—as they have been in the past by connecting spiritually with the Moon as you learn how to read and act on the lunar astrological signs and cycles. 

This empowering book explores: 

*The history of Moon worship and introduction to the phases—This accessible guide provides a basic history of ancient Moon worship, a simple introduction to the Moon phases, and the meanings of New and Full Moons. 

*The 12 Moon signs—You’ll find details on working with each sign as the Moon passes through it, a goddess and power animal for each Moon sign, and activities and rituals for connecting with their energy during certain Moon phases. 

*Recognition and development of your lunar nature—Even if you are completely new to harnessing lunar energy, you will learn how, through reflection, ritual, and purposeful action, you can connect to your emotional nature and inner spirit more deeply. 

Moon Energy for Beginners offers a simple path to reuniting with your inner Goddess in ways that deeply satisfy your soul. 

Review: There are many books on the market that deal with the subject of drawing on the moon for energy, inspiration, and magic. So what makes Simone Butler's any different from all these others? Simply, the book is concise, easy to read, and doesn't overly complicate the subject matter nor does it attempt to shoehorn the subject into a specific spiritual path. Butler approaches moon energy from an astrological standpoint and keeps things simple so that anyone--beginner, intermediate, or experienced--can incorporate her information into their path, whatever it may be. 

Special terms and concepts are highlighted in the text in call-out boxes that give more detail where it's needed. Butler's explanation of terms like "Super Moon," "Blood Moon," and the differences between lunar and solar eclipses are detailed and yet easily understood. She offers simple rituals and exercises to tune into lunar energies and how these may be used to enhance daily life. The fact that she's able to do all this without referring to an overarching path and stick to an astrological basis is undoubtedly the most helpful aspect of the book.

The reader is prompted to visit two separate websites to learn their own moon sign and moon phase at the time of their birth. (I found this really helpful as I was able to determine my moon sign to be Capricorn with a moon phase of waxing crescent. Something I didn't know until I read this book.) Once the reader has determined both, the book is divided into individual moon signs and each has helpful information such as lunar superpower, lunar shadow, sexual nature, karmic path, and moon qualities. I especially enjoyed reading about the moon women, or ancient goddesses, associated with each moon sign. Also included with the goddess information is sections about animals sacred to that goddess, how to set up an altar, and both full and new moon rituals. Activities and inspiration round out the individual moon signs. 

Overall, Moon Energy for Beginners is a great resource for anyone interested in astrology, lunar goddesses, and working with moon energy. It certainly has found a home on my bookshelf.