Sturgeon Moon Ceremony:

Full Moon 16º59" Aquarius: Loving what you receive, finding balance and trusting your intuition to elevate into greater abundance and flow.

A Four-Part Journey of Abundance and Flow

The Sturgeon Moon of August rises as a beacon of late summer's abundance, named for the ancient fishing traditions when these magnificent fish were most plentiful in North American waters. This full moon carries the energy of harvest, gratitude, and the flowing wisdom of water—inviting us to celebrate what we've cultivated while preparing for autumn's transformation.

This ceremony is designed as four interconnected parts that can be experienced together as a complete ritual or individually as separate practices. Each section offers both simple and elaborate variations, along with options for indoor/outdoor and solo/group settings.

Part 1: Honoring the Waters

Connecting with flow, adaptability, and the sturgeon's aquatic wisdom

Simple Version (5-10 minutes)

What you need: A bowl of water, white or blue candle

1. Light your candle near the bowl of water

2. Place your hands around (not in) the water and breathe deeply

3. Speak: "I honor the waters that flow through my life, the currents that carry me, and the depths that hold wisdom"

4. Reflect on one area where you've learned to flow rather than fight this year

5. Dip your fingertips in the water and touch your heart, forehead, and palms

Elaborate Version

(15-20 minutes)

What you need: Larger bowl or basin, moon water (or regular water), blue candle, small stones or shells, essential oil (optional)

1. Create sacred space outdoors near natural water if possible, or indoors with your water basin

2. Light the blue candle and add a drop of essential oil to the water if desired

3. Hold each stone/shell, speaking one thing you're grateful for about water's presence in your life

4. Place stones around the bowl's perimeter

5. Stand or sit with hands over the water, feeling its energy

6. Speak: "Sacred waters, you teach me to be persistent yet yielding, powerful yet peaceful. As the sturgeon moves through your depths with ancient wisdom, help me navigate my path with grace and strength."

7. Create moon water by leaving the bowl under the full moon overnight

Variations:

• Group: Each person contributes a stone and shares their gratitude

• Indoor: Use a fountain or play water sounds for ambiance

• Ocean/lake nearby: Perform at the water's edge, using natural water

Part 2: Gratitude for Abundance

Celebrating the harvest of our efforts and life's gifts

Simple Version (10 minutes)

What you need: Journal or paper, pen, gold or yellow candle

Light the candle and sit comfortably

1. Write three things you're deeply grateful for from this year

2. Write three unexpected gifts or opportunities that appeared

3. Read your list aloud, saying "I am grateful" after each item

4. Place the paper near the candle and let the gratitude fill your heart

Elaborate Version (20-25 minutes)

What you need: Journal, gold candle, small items representing abundance (coins, crystals, fruits, photos), beautiful cloth or tray

1. Create an abundance altar with the cloth and arrange your symbolic items

2. Light the gold candle in the center

3. Hold each item, sharing its story of abundance in your life

4. Write in your journal:

   • Material abundance you've received

   • Emotional/spiritual growth you've experienced

   • Relationships that have flourished

   • Skills or wisdom you've gained

   • Unexpected blessings that surprised you

5. Create an abundance prayer or poem from your heart

6. Close by holding your hands over the altar, speaking: "I acknowledge the abundance that flows through my life. I am a vessel for prosperity, love, and growth. May I always recognize and appreciate the wealth that surrounds me."

Variations:

• Group: Create a shared abundance altar where each person contributes an item and its story

• Photography: Take pictures of your abundance altar to keep as a reminder

• Artistic: Draw or paint symbols of your abundance instead of writing

Part 3: Harvesting Intentions

Gathering the fruits of seeds planted earlier in the year

Simple Version (10-15 minutes)

What you need: Previous new moon or full moon intention notes (if available), journal, green candle

1. Light the green candle

2. If you have previous intention notes, read through them

3. In your journal, write what has manifested from your earlier intentions

4. Note what's still in progress and what has transformed into something unexpected

5. Celebrate each manifestation with "I honor this growth in my life"

Elaborate Version (20-30 minutes)

What you need: Journal, green and gold candles, basket or bowl, small papers, colorful pens

1. Light both candles to represent growth (green) and fruition (gold)

2. Review any intentions set at previous lunar cycles this year

3. For each intention area, write on separate papers:

   • What has fully manifested (place in basket)

   • What is actively growing (keep in hand)

   • What has evolved into something different (place near gold candle)

   • What feels complete and ready to release (set aside)

4. Create three piles and reflect on each:

   • Harvest pile (basket): Celebrate these achievements

   • Growing pile: Send them encouragement and patience

   • Evolution pile: Honor the unexpected wisdom gained

   • Release pile: Thank them for their teachings

5. Write a letter to your future self acknowledging your growth and offering encouragement

6. Close by speaking: "I am the gardener of my own life. I plant with intention, tend with care, and harvest with gratitude. I trust the timing of my growth."

Variations:

• Vision board: Create a visual representation of what's manifested

• Group: Share one manifestation and one still-growing intention with the circle

• Seasonal: Focus specifically on intentions related to late summer themes

Part 4: Release and Preparation

Letting go and preparing for autumn's transformation

Simple Version (10 minutes)

What you need: Paper, pen, fireproof container, black or white candle, matches

1. Light the candle

2. Write down what you're ready to release: old patterns, limiting beliefs, completed chapters

3. Safely burn the paper in the container, saying: "I release what no longer serves my highest good"

4. As it burns, visualize yourself lighter and freer

5. Speak your intention for the coming season

Elaborate Version (25-30 minutes)

What you need: Several papers, pens, fireproof cauldron or container, black and white candles, sage or clearing herbs, small bell or chime

1. Light the black candle for releasing and white for new beginnings

2. Create sacred space by burning sage or clearing herbs

3. Write on separate papers:

   • Relationships or situations that have run their course

   • Beliefs about yourself that limit your growth

   • Habits that no longer align with who you're becoming

   • Fears that hold you back from abundance

4. Hold each paper, thanking it for its lessons before burning

5. Ring the bell three times to clear the energy

6. Light the white candle from the black one, speaking: "From release comes renewal"

7. Write on fresh paper your intentions for autumn:

   • How you want to show up as the seasons change

   • What you want to cultivate in the coming months

   • How you'll honor the wisdom gained this year

8. Keep this paper on your altar or somewhere meaningful

9. Close with: "I release the old with gratitude and welcome the new with trust. I am ready for the next chapter of my growth."

Variations:

• Water release: Write on biodegradable paper and release in flowing water

• Group: Create a group bonfire for releasing (safety permitting)

• Symbolic: Bury what you're releasing and plant seeds for what's coming

Completing the Full Ceremony

If you choose to do all four parts in one session, take breaks between sections to integrate the energy. The complete ceremony can take 60-90 minutes depending on which versions you choose.

Closing the complete ceremony:

Thank the four directions and the sturgeon's spirit for guidance

Extinguish candles mindfully

1. Leave moon water out overnight if you created it

2. Journal any final insights or commitments

3. Ground yourself by eating something or touching the earth

   In the days following:

4. Drink your moon water to integrate the ceremony's energy

5. Notice signs of abundance appearing in your life

6. Continue releasing what came up during the ceremony

7. Honor your autumn intentions as they begin to unfold

May this Sturgeon Moon illuminate the abundance that already flows through your life and guide you toward the harvest that awaits.

In Breath and Stillness

Resonance Weaver ~ Leah Chastain