The Journaling Muse â Issue #36 Equinox Light and Shadow
A soft space to reflect, reconnect, and create with feeling.
Hi, Dear Reader,
Last Sunday, the Moon slid silently between us and the Sun, a celestial moment of awe and temporary shadow. đ
The very next day, the Earth held its breath at the Equinox. âď¸
A holy pause indeed.
This is a moment of balance, not only between day and night in the sky, but also within us. The eclipse reminded us to let go, to allow old habits, fears, or stories to step into shadow so we could see them more clearly and release them. Now the equinox invites us to find steadiness again, to restore our inner balance and step into the next season with intention.
This theme of balance isnât abstract for me right now. Some days, pain and daily struggles pull me down. But then there are moments that bring me back: standing in the National Gallery at the Art Nouveau poster exhibition, listening to a saxophone concert, or losing myself in Balkan rhythms. Even my daily meditation gives me a thread to hold onto. And at the Academy of Music, where every little detail still whispers of the old Monarch era, I feel the reminder that beauty endures, even in difficult times. These glimpses of light donât erase the shadow, but they help me hold both.
đ Eclipse: The Shadow, The Release
An eclipse is a natural pause â a moment when light is briefly hidden. In our inner lives, it can work the same way. When the familiar âlightâ is blocked, we notice whatâs been hiding in the background: old fears, patterns, or weights weâve carried too long.
- The Gift of the Dark: What did the eclipse stir in you â anxiety, mystery, relief, or peace? Write about the âshadowâ that fell across your inner world.
- Letting Go List: Write down 3â5 things (beliefs, habits, grudges, clutter) youâre ready to release. If you like, black them out on the page as a ritual.
- The Hidden Message: What truth was waiting to be seen once the light returned?
âď¸ Equinox: The Light, The Balance
The equinox is a point of perfect balance. It isnât about staying in balance forever â itâs a reminder that balance is possible, even if only for a moment. From here, we can choose what steadiness means for us.
- The Scales of Your Life: Imagine your life as a set of scales. What feels heavy? What feels too light? Where could more harmony help you feel steady?
- Seeds of Intention: The balanced light of the equinox is fertile ground for planting new seeds. What one small, nourishing intention feels right for the season ahead?
đ¨ Creative Spark
Try an Equinox Collage.
- One side: the shadow youâre releasing (dark images, words, textures).
- The other side: the light youâre inviting in (bright, expansive images).
Place them side by side â a visual reminder of balance.
đż A Little Muse for You
Wherever you are, notice the quality of the light today. Feel the earth beneath your feet at this pivot point. There is no need to rush toward the light or cling to the dark. Simply acknowledge the balance.
This weekâs Muse painting is Perfect Echo. It holds a sense of depth and mystery, where a dark blue form â almost a cross, but never fully seen â emerges and dissolves into movement. Salmon, red, and light green create a delicate dance of contrast, like light filtering through petals or a spring breeze stirring forgotten emotions. For me, it feels like an equinox embodied: the perfect echo of contrast and harmony, stillness and motion, shadow and light.
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Cheering on You,
âBeĂĄta
P.S. The simplest act of observance is powerful. Step outside at noon. Pause for a breath. Your awareness is the most interesting part of this cosmic dance.
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