La Bona Dea's Journal of Everyday Magic

NEW FOR 2025

Follow the Moon and work with ancient Divine guidance this year. I will post the actions for upcoming moon phases so you, too, can draw power to manifest, create, release, and begin again.

click below for current moon assignment:

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1/29 – First New Moon of 2025
This New Moon we recognize the energy of the SNAKE with Chinese New Year tradition. It is a reminder to wake slowly, step carefully and above all, Remain Grounded! Let your love of life lead the way, no room for worry, fear, distrust, or hate. Let love lead. Stay grounded. Stay in harmony with what is real: Nature, Spirit and Mother Earth! Blessed Be!

With that said, I have taken inventory on my emotions and my desires. How are they aligned? Are they aligned? How will the outcomes reflect my new life, will it make me feel better or worse about who I am? These are some self-reflections I am pondering as I move forward with the New Moon. This moon phase is called the Snow Moon or the Hunger Moon.

I resonate with the Snow Moon as Imbolc comes 2/1 and as Goddess Brigid arrives, the snow melts away letting the first tiny blades of greenery poke upward toward the sky.

The Hunger Moon fits well as though I am not truly hungry, there is plenty in the pantry today, I pause to wonder what I hunger for. What will satiate me for this loving month of February? Meditation is prescribed, Tarot is calling, and introspection is a must. Blessed Be!

Photo from Unsplashed… that guy is not in my garden 😃

1/22-28 Balsamic Waning Crecent Moon

Balm is a word that resonates with healing and recuperation. I imagine the Balsamic Moon phase as a time when rest and reflection are most needed and desired. This Moon phase yields to the darkness of the new moon, “lay to rest” what has been done or undone. Self-reflection, forgiveness, or assurances are provided now. This phase prepares us for the new cycle, or new chance for change and growth.

The moon retreats and I think of the girl I once was. Am I the woman she wanted to be? I got to raise my kids by staying home with them, worked just enough to be a part of the community and volunteered so I could be a better citizen. I respect my family and the long, hard work they have put into making a better life for me.

I stand beside my ancestors and find comfort in their bravery, their courage. They made a life that blessed me with their love and loyalty. Once upon a time I had confidence, but somewhere along the line I lost it.

Sticking up for myself took backseat to being nice, flexible, helpful, and all those other traps. I ask the girl if she would do things differently, and the only thing she says is that she would have waited to find the right partner. Someone who supported her dreams as much as she supported theirs. Those losses are permanent marks on my children’s lives and that does break my heart deeply some days.

But how is perfect? Well, the woman dreams of her life as a old lady. She dreams of lots of birds in her backyard and cookies in the cookie jar. Stories of the old days and success made of the hard times. I guess it’s a matter of wallowing through. That must be the secret, because, after all, I am not finished becoming the woman the girl wants to be, but she is just around the corner.

1/14-1/20 Waning Gibbous Moon

The party is over, and reflection begins (no ruminating on what you could or should have done… reflection only.

Easier said than done, because I have been so busy in my life with family obligations and things to do for others that I have not focused on my personal life and my dreams enough.

I can’t worry about how I spent my time because I spent it exactly the way I wanted, family is everything to me at the end of the day. However, I must make sure that I keep enough energy and foresight in my daily practices that I don’t get lost in the shuffle.

I embrace the magic that surrounds me. I revel in the Myster that is yet to be revealed, as I know there are many things that happen behind the scenes, directed by Goddess and not meant for me as of yet. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I have been called to participate in others’ lives before mine right now. Busy hands can’t mess up the big plans! Blessed Be!

For the Full Moon check out January 2025 post: FULL MOON RITUAL

1/9-/12 Waxing Gibbous

My belly pokes out like Hers at the fullness of January’s Journey. I waver a bit and with hesitation at the impending progress coming. Can I go back? How do I move forward?

Well, I got a little help with a new divination deck. I have lots of moon cards and tools, but I needed something to strengthen my intuition… or maybe best said to help believe in the power of my intuition. Yes, that’s it.

(New toys make life exceptionally less scary!)

I am definitely not stressing about getting to the end of anything. I believe all will come together at the right time. I only have to make the next right move or the next right choice.

With the Full Moon coming tomorrow night, I will spend my time today enjoying what has fulfilled me and resolve what has to change. Blessed Be! So it is!

1/3-1/5 Waxing Crecent

The golden sliver of light is Her awakening face. Gently nudging, reminding me to keep on track. With a stir in my belly, I absorb her promised presence as my ideas take shape. And I think it counts that I helped Natalie organize Baby Lil’s closet. That baby has the sassiest clothes!

Around here I’ve lightened the content of more drawers, and tidied the shed, making room to put away the holiday decor and opening up space for crafting supply storage. I have put together my La Befana outfit to bring my little granddaughter Lilith her stocking with goodies tomorrow night.

Organization of our Iseum’s tax paperwork and getting the donation receipts out is set for the next 48 hours. I have made my way through half the calendar to include The Heroine’s Journey Workbook Schedule —and that must go out early this week. It begins in February.

With the light comes the bustle of activities, and I am allowing for unplanned but happy-to-do tasks without interrupting my flow. Yesterday a quick trip to CVS for Mom, today soup and a hug for Mia; she has a cold.

I hope to keep this stress free and peaceful pace while Mooning throughout the year! Blessed Be!

12/30-1/2 New Moon

New Moon Intention Setting: Following my heart’s pace, no rushing, just taking the time needed. To be in the moment is not hard once you let the less important things (The mundane and the-not-for-you categories) fall away to illuminate your mind, offering creativity, decisiveness, AND, Darling! Perspective! Go stand outside and feel Her guidance.

NOTE: Our year ends with a “Black Moon” that’s when there are two New Moon’s in one month, like “Blue Moons” for a two Full Moon Month. Let’s double down with this last New Moon to make big plans for 2025.

My de-cluttering will begin with drawers and closets. It’s easy to stop with one or 10. Just getting organized one drawer at a time counts.

I am also working on a calendar to include our once-a-month offerings of the Heroine’s Journey Workbook study, Tea and Tarot, and our board meetings. Thankfully the Sabbat Calendar is slated, but locations are still TBD because of weather and hosting. It will come together, it always does.

Planning and scribbling! Oh, and I have saved many social media posts about the moon, decluttering, and such. Blessed be your journey today. Let’s check in again soon! Have a Happy New Year!! xo

12/28 My first project for January is setting up a Facebook activity for follow the moon’s phases. I am interested in the moon’s energy, and I feel I don’t take advantage of its power or guidance enough, so here we are! I invite you to grab a journal and begin along with me as we discover our potential this year.

To do this, I got a great journal…gifted to me for my birthday, a strong portent hat I am on the right track! Get your journal and tune in to the most current moon assignment. You can begin at any time and do your best to keep up.

If you are a beginner, try manifesting and releasing first. We can work on the intricate details as you learn, but for now, think New Moon and Full Moon and work that energy!

Leave me a comment on Mooning on the Facebook page and let me know how you’re doing. Or Email Mammadeason@gmail.com if you have any questions! Happy Mooning!

May 1st Beltane Moon Zoom Magic!

MAY DAY MOON ZOOM the magical merry month of May! Come prepared with a spoonful of honey…. and be ready to add it to your favorite vehicle; tea, yogurt, muffin, or by the spoonful! We will concoct magic and make a wish at this Sabbat honoring the alchemy of Earth’s lush growth and Goddess’s blessings! Please have a flower nearby for the meditation and a totem, trinket, silver, or a bowl of water to charge in the moonlight. See you Monday at 7 pm xo Email me for the link and questions about this online event at mammadeason@gmail.com

A Summer Full Moon Altar

JUNE’S STRAWBERRY MOON
We gathered under the STRAWBERRY MOON Dorotea Park in Rohnert Park.

Here is some strawberry symbolism: https://symbolismandmetaphor.com/strawberry-symbolism-spiritual-meaning/

Why a Strawberry Moon, you may ask? Check out this link to find out more:https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-june

To minimize the risk of Covid-19, please be sure to keep a safe distance and wear a mask if you need. We are all in this together!

Greetings and Bright Blessings for a Joyful and Healthy New Year!

This year, 2022, La Bona Dea is hosting the Iseum of Mary Isis’ Priestess Apprenticeship which begins in February. However, throughout the year I will incorporate our Full Moon Circles to the best of our ability. Because of overlapping commitments, I will confirm each Full Moon Circle with details on this website and on our Facebook page, La Bona Dea. We look forward to so many happy times together this year! In the interest of time, safety, and comfort, some events will be via Zoom. Links and locations will be provided as we go.

2022 Full Moon Circle Dates and Spring/Summer Time 7 pm-8 pm, and Daylight Savings Times are 5:30-6:30 pm

Full Plant Moon, Saturday, April 16th

Full Flower Moon, Friday, May 13th

Full Strawberry Moon, Tuesday, June 14th

In lieu of a Full Moon Circles JULY, we will hold our Goddess Thrift Mall and celebrate with a summer abundance and letting go ritual

Full Salmon Moon, Thursday, August 11th

Full Harvest Moon, Saturday, September 10th

Full Hunter Moon, Sunday, October 9th

Full Beaver Moon, Tuesday, November 8th

Full Cold Moon, Wednesday, December 7th

2021 July and August, La Bona Dea will hold a Goddess Thrift Mall where folk may exchange goods such as clothing, jewelry, small household items, or trinkets. Donations are accepted and we hope you will come to enjoy yourself at the Goddess Mall! This event is scheduled to take place on SUNDAY, August 22nd from 11 am to 2 pm.

Next Full Moon Event times take place
PST Daylight Savings time April-October 6:30 m, October-April 5:30 pm:
Sept 20th            Harvest Moon
October 20th     Hunter’s Moon
Nov 19th            Beaver Moon
Dec 18th             Cold Moon

Moons and Junes, and Ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way I feel, as if every fairy tale is real. . . .I’ve looked at love that way….

Ah, Summer is filled with joy. Mother Earth is in full bloom, our hearts are filled with excitement, and the sun is shining to invite us outdoors. Summer is the time of play and rest. The kind of days that wear you out by fresh air and vine-ripened foods.

Topic: June’s Full Fairy Moon Circle
Time: Jun 25, 2021, 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

May all the Fairies gather ’round and bless your heart and all that’s earthbound! Blessed be!

May’s Full Flower Moon

The month of May is regarded as the month of flowers. This time of year in the northern hemisphere we excitedly await the push from seedling to sprout, from plant to blossom, and May does not disappoint.

La Bona Dea, a Roman goddess also known as the Good Goddess, and whom the Greek called Fauna, celebrates her feast on May 1^st. In the old way only women were allowed to enter her temple on her feast day. Though the rites were secret, many speculate there was much dancing, laughter, and the evening served as an all-round Girls’ Night. Without men, the women could speak and act freely to celebrate their feminine qualities as well as interact with the Divine.

For our Full Moon, please be prepared to make a May Dolly. She will be a symbol of our independent selves, a reminder of our commitments to ourselves as we relish the thrill of summer’s arrival.

Topic: May Full Flower Moon
Time: May 26, 2021 06:15 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83817146951?pwd=WXpOVGNaMnUva2JxbEVldG1lbGx0dz09

Meeting ID: 838 1714 6951
Passcode: FLOWERMOON

La Bona Dea is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: April Full Planter’s Moon

Time: Apr 25, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84075646516?pwd=a1c0bmI4Ry94ZjgvazNiVnkya2dzQT09  

Meeting ID: 840 7564 6516

Passcode: PLANTMOON

April is often called the Pink moon for the zillions of tiny pink phlox which make a perfect gown for Mother Earth as we honor her awakening. To celebrate we may find ourselves outside planting seeds and seedlings, conjuring her fertility to birth flowers and fruits to sustain us for the remaining season of the year.

Another special date in April is the 15^th, no, not only tax day,(boo) but Bast’s Feast day. Our ritual will include delving delve into our inner cat-goddess, the divine feline, the mystic feminine of the independent soul within ourselves—these are a few reasons cats are sacred to several goddesses, witches, and of course, well protected by the supreme cat goddess, Bast. 

For the ritual, you will need to collect a few items ahead of time and have them ready at your altar.

• A green or white candle, (If not, be sure to hold any color candle and imbue it with healing energy and think “green,”) in a holder
• A Sistrum, bell, or rattle
• A photo of your family and/or other loved ones
• And a photo, picture, or statue of a cat as well as other beloved pets
• A lighter

Calling upon Bast we will invoke her protective cat-mamma energy and share it with Mother Earth, our loved ones, and ourselves. The time of “birth” (renewal, springtime) is always critical, and by supporting our planet we may ensure that life will continue to grow.

Contact mammadeason@gmail.com for further information or to hold a circle at your location.

Welcome Spring, Welcome Ostara!
Our Full Storm Moon Zoom is Saturday, March 27th!

Photo by Natalie Elbaroda, March 2021

La Bona Dea is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Storm Moon Time: Mar 27, 2021, 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87104036281?pwd=VzNDTTNvNXE3VkZPYzRiSjhrTWl4 Zz09
Meeting ID: 871 0403 6281
Passcode: STORMMOON

Weather the Storm Moon, enjoy baking Elbaroda’s Ostara Magical Mug Cake, celebrate Artemis’s birthday, learn about the pagan origin of the birthday cake, and cast a divination spell!

What you need for your Spell: A special piece of silver or a silver coin, a bowl of water

Elbaroda’s Ostara Honey Mug Cake

We are in a time of rebirth and what better time to honor ourselves than with a little birthday treat. The following instructions are for a magical birthday cake which we will partake as a communion during our zoom.

Treat each ingredient as a sacred element to your witch’s brew.To accompany this recipe I found this sweet excerpt from an article I’d like to share with you all. I thought we could hum this to ourselves to honor the ones who have come before us while preparing our potions.

Clay tablets dating from 2500 BCE Sumeria depict a faction, whose devotee would bring offerings of butter to their temple of the goddess Inanna. Ancient Sumerian texts show a reverence for the act of butter-making, in passages like, “The rocking of the churn will sing for you, Inanna . . . thus making you joyous.”

I had lots of fun making this recipe and I hope you find much joy in preparing yours too. This recipe is not gluten-free or allergy-free, please take care to alter ingredients to suit your needs.

Honey Mug Cake Recipe
2 T butter – an ancient token of magical transformation
1 T runny honey – a symbol of immortality and rebirth
1 med egg – a symbol for fertility, creation, prosperity
1/2 t vanilla extract – the only edible orchid fruit- aids in cultivating inner peace
3 T light brown sugar- sensuous sexuality, for the ladies!
4 T self-rising flour * recipe follows – a source of strength and a supplier of energy to get this MOJO flowing!
1 C all-purpose flour
1 ½ t baking powder¼ t salt pinch of salt to tether us to the ground while we imbue ourselves with our intentions.

Speaking of intention, choose a couple of fragrant ingredients to customize our honey cake to our exact specifications. I chose to use orange extract and ground sage (I can always use a little extra wisdom) and it turned out divine. There are so many wonderful and magical combinations, and if you have an ingredient in your cupboard that you are just aching to use, go for it, let your intuition and creativity fly!

Basil – for Astral travel, protection Cardamom – an aphrodisiac, feminine in nature and useful when calling upon eloquence Cinnamon – used in consecration, or to tap into the divine connection Ginger – courage, confidence. Lavender – Healing, invoking relaxation Lemon zest – cleansing, banish negativity, draw in happiness and joy Mint – protection, virtue Orange zest – prosperity, abundance Rosemary – love, remembrance Rosewater- opening the heart Chakra to receive love! Sage – wisdom Thyme – courage, sacrifice

Frosting Recipe
2 T butter, softened4
T confectioners sugar
runny honey (optional)

Start with a mug and add butter, melt butter in the microwave, yes we are modern *itches! Stir in honey, sugar, egg, and vanilla, mix well.Add flour, salt, and your chosen herbs or spices and mix to a smooth consistency.Once blended, pop that sucker in the microwave for 1 min and 30 seconds or 1 min and 15, if your microwave is on high. Drizzle with honey or prepared frosting. Save to enjoy at our zoom!

Join us for the next Full Moon Zoom
February Ice Moon, Saturday, February 27th at 6 pm
Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 870 8909 3120

Passcode: ICEMOON

Photo by @shawnHolloway
on Unsplashed

February’s Full Moon is commonly known as the Snow Moon. However, in Northern California, especially in Sonoma County, we may not always count on snow. . . but we do know about ice. Freezing temperatures and frigid mornings are not uncommon during the month of February.

This month, we thought it would be interesting to explore this month’s Full Moon under its lesser-known name: the Full Ice Moon.

Ice invites us to wonder at stillness, moments frozen in time, bitter cold which may immobilize us, and the sometimes-forgotten option to “stand still.

JANUARY WOLF FULL MOON
Friday, January 29, 2021 at 5:30 PM PST

January’s Full Moon is known as the Wolf Moon because wolves are often heard howling during the long cold nights. People believed the wolves howled because of winter’s cold and hunger but after studying wolves, experts say that they howl to vocalize and identify other wolves or packs and to identify their territory or maintain their social bond–perhaps even coordinate hunts.

Gather with Women and Howl at the Moon this month. . . ask yourself. . .
What do I need to howl about?
Do I hunger for something?
Do I want to examine my boundaries or reach out to others to share ideas or focus? Who is my community?

Have a pen and 2 pieces of paper ready to complete the meditation.
For the craft you will need a small jar filled with delights. . . collect buttons, beads, feathers, glitter, shells, pieces of jewelry, coins–you get the idea–put the items in the jar at this WAXING Moon. Keep the jar handy to place near you during the Wolf Moon Zoom!

Zoom into our Full Wolf Moon by clicking the link below:
Topic: January Wolf Moon
Time: Jan 29, 2021 05:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89142373141…
Meeting ID: 891 4237 3141
Passcode: WolfMoon