Happy New Moon!
Happy Treasure Mapping!
Hurray. We are here.
At 10:32am EDT April 3 The New Moon in Aries began. And now we build our Treasure Maps!
In an ideal world you will make your Treasure Maps between
April 3 and April 7 12:15 EDT. That is about 3.5 days which gives you time to strategize your maps and make sure they feel right.
However if you cannot make your map during that window---then you have up until April 17 10:43pm.
Those are the best windows to make the map. For those of you who are reading this and it is before the 7th or before the 17th, I trust you will make your maps in the optimal period.
*If by chance you get to this post and it is after the 17th, then you may still make a map because technically it is still Aries lunar cycle so you probably can squeeze one in but your drop dead date is April 28 at 12:29am. I believe people have still have found it effective and I think it is still worth it for you to give it a shot than having wait the following year.
WHAT IS A TREASURE MAP? A treasure map is a collage made of photos, magazines pictures, words, pieces of things that make sense to you...whatever you want and you put them on a foam core board or just cardboard or just something strong that can handle the collage...you put them all together so you can look at it...it will be a MAP of what you want for the coming year.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "what do I want for the coming year?"Exactly what it says. Do you want a new relationship? A new house, a new living room, better health, stronger marriage, reconnect with people, a bigger family, a bigger community? Do you want to write your book? Do you want a new car? What is it you want?
Do you even know what you want?
If you are like many of us, you are so busy running around, taking care of everyone else that you might not have a fig of an idea what you want for your new year...that is the beauty of this process...you must sit down and figure it out...give yourself this time to do it. Be just that selfish and dare to dream.
Why do we do it now and not January?Treasure Maps are made during the Aries new moon. Aries new moon change from year to year and this year, it will take place on April 3 at 10:32am EDT.
They are made on Aries new moon, because that is the first sign of the zodiac. Aries is when you plant your seeds. It is the real beginning of the New Year. It should not be confused with the first day of spring, which is usually on March 19 or March 20. New moon means the sun and moon are in the same degree. For those who don't know much about astrology (which is totally okay) Aries is the sign of SIGHT. So, that's why it is so important to have pictures of what you want. You need to visualize it. Or if you don't do photos/pictures.. Put up words. It is just important for you to SEE THEM.
So, I'm going to be busy on April 3 can I start it before the 3rd?NO.
Do I have to buy a bunch of magazines, I'm broke, can I just borrow some old ones from friends?
Personally, when I started my treasure maps I always did them with fresh new magazines. And in the old days, (not married, no children) I spent a lot of dough on them..only because I wanted lots of choices. But with time, I ended up only getting a few magazines. I never borrowed other magazines from friends..but I know that there are people who did it in previous years and I think they were happy with their results. So, it really is your call.
What if I don't want magazine photos, can I just use my own pictures.. like my husband, my baby etc?Sure. I usually colored xerox them so that I would not wreck my originals.
You can also paint what you want. Again it is your call.
Do I only focus on things? Heck no! I would also encourage you to focus on beliefs and environments. Affirmations like “I’m abundant” or “I am always feeling loved” “My health is vibrant.” “My partner and I are always growing closer and closer.”
Should I put a photo of me on it? Yes. Is there any pattern i have to use when i put the photos or the words on my board.
No you can do it anyway you want.
I will say that in previous years my friends and I used to use the feng shui baguas for my pattern. basically I would break up the board into 9 areas. A grid like this:
123
456
789
1-abundance
2-fame/reputation
3-relationship
4-family
5-health
6-creativity
7-self knowledge (and travel)
8-work
9-helpful people and angels.
If you use the feng shui baguas, you will naturally cover all most all areas of your life..as you can see it is all represented there. But again, you don’t have to do it that way. Last year I followed someone’s suggestion and I made a map that was connected to the chakras. I enjoyed it and felt my map had a subtle difference to it than in previous years. In some ways it ran smoother. But then my first map was in 1996 so with age I’m probably getting mellower.
How much time do I have to build my map? See above.
Do I have to do it alone or can I do it with friends?You can do it either way. I build mine with my 2 other friends. We are like family and it felt so right to do it with them. We started them together. I know that there are several people who have little parties where they invite those close to them over. I will say this, it is a lot of fun to do them with others..we would all pass around the magazines.. "Hey, I found a great beach bungalow does anyone need a beach vacation? Or it would be, "I have got to lose 10 pounds, any ideas what I should put on my map?" and low and behold someone will come up with a good suggestion.
Do i have to finish it all at one sitting?No. Often I used to cut my stuff out with my friends. Maybe glue a little thing here or there and then take it home and finish it there over the course of a day or two.
Can my kids do it with me?Yes! It is great for them to focus and think about what they want. Have them build their own maps. They also might give you their thoughts about what they think you should have in your life. Helps them to think beyond them, right?
Does it work?Yep.
Okay. I don't want to sound like a spoilsport but I’m just not interested in building a collage, can I do something else?Sure you can take a nice piece of orange paper and write down wishes during Treasure Map time. My wishes can sometimes feel like prayers and they are more broad in my desires. But I will say this, I felt like I needed to switch to 'less is more' after several, several years of mapping. So, I had a lot under my belt. I would encourage new comers to make the actual maps. But if you really don't feel the call then just write your desires down. I like orange paper. So, vibrant. So aries.
Is it ok to have things continue over to the next year? Long-term, ongoing stuff that has progressed but needs to continue to progress?Yes. Of course. But with a small caveat. My sense after doing these for years is that when something really takes time and doesn't gel in the first year. My experience is that there is something still not in right yet. It might be something you are aware of...like one cyber friend shifted from her map from year one to year two by focusing on less things. That kind of energy is really important. What I mean.. is it is NOT important to put up less. It is important for you on the following year's map to go into your gut and say what do I REALLY WANT.
You may need to shift something about your long range goals. My sense is that they need a wee bit refining or broadening. Just a thought. But definitely don't give up on the dream.
For more on the roots of Treasure Maps go HERE
