Conversations with the New Moon: Ways to Embrace a New You

Conversations with the New Moon: Ways to Embrace a New You
On October 25th, the new moon moved into Scorpio, a passionate and powerful water sign. This wasn’t a typical new moon; it was a solar eclipse, and it’s recommended to hold off doing any manifestation rituals during an eclipse phase.

An eclipse uncovers emotions, true desires, and fears which means some people will need to take it easy and reset. While others will need to take advantage of this energy to reflect on any fears or energy holding us back from true alignment. Instead of manifesting for the future, this is a great time to focus on developing our self-awareness and learning what we need to do to align with the manifestations currently unfolding in our present.

During this dark moon phase, our flight and fight response may be on high alert, but instead of ignoring this, use this time to replace old habits and implement new self-developing rituals. Daily rituals like the Self-love Replenishing Bath Ritual can ease discomfort during growth periods by bringing our focus to the present rather than going along with the negative intrusive thoughts in our minds.

For entrepreneurs and creatives planning their end-of-year goals and preparing for the new year, it’s recommended to focus on protecting businesses' assets and intellectual property and ensuring all legal matters are up to date. Many Latina entrepreneurs and small business owners fear losing their businesses, facing sudden legal issues, or being copied and plagiarized. Therefore, ensuring protective business measures are put in place and aligned during this period is essential.

Spiritually overcoming fears can be a lifelong journey, especially for those who have experienced generations of trauma. Even when we think we have crossed a threshold of bravery, there are times those same fears come back to haunt us. That’s when we realize the fears did not disappear; instead, they cling to hidden places deep in our minds.

Like many Latinos, I grew up in a family who not only projected their fears but raised us to be in fear constantly. Naturally, my fears manifested into insecurities, anxiety, and depression, amongst other things. Through my journey, I realized the only way to face and overcome my fears was to move with intention.

What exactly is moving with intention, and why is it important?

There are two definitions; one is to move with a plan or aim towards a goal, while the other definition is the healing process of a wound. Although my plans and goals can always change over time, healing will always be the foundation of how I set my intentions. The importance is to challenge myself to replace old habits holding me in a place of fear with new self-developing rituals that will help me manifest with clarity and control.

Even though my fears may arise at times, I am confident I can face and move through them with agility and determination by becoming more self-aware. Below are five signs that it’s time to embrace a new you and replace the old habits with new rituals. Like the moon, we will go through phases and cycles of dark and light, but the goal is to awaken and connect with our magic every step of the way.

Sleeping Late & Not Getting Enough Zzz’s

person lying on bed while covering face with pillow and holding eyeglassesPhoto by Isabella and Zsa Fischer on Unsplash

This habit can be detrimental not only to our physical bodies but also to our minds. Lack of sleep can cause emotional triggers that can exhaust and deplete our spirit, making it difficult to manifest with intention or align with current manifestations.

Replacing this habit with a Tea Ritual will ease the body, mind, and soul. Drinking herbal tea like chamomile or lavender and shutting off electronics sixty to thirty minutes before a designated bedtime will ease and relax the mind. The intention is to focus on allowing our minds to release and surrender with trust.

A great affirmation to say when drinking the tea is I TRUST MYSELF, I TRUST IN MY ABILITIES AND MAGIC, I TRUST THAT I AM ON THE RIGHT PATH.

Procrastination or Creativity Block

white paper on brown wooden tablePhoto by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

I am a true believer that creativity can never be blocked. Instead, it is a burnt-out response from overworking and putting a lot of pressure on ourselves. Procrastination is also a trauma response that may be triggered by fear and anxiety. These responses over time can become habits, and to accomplish any significant task; we must burn ourselves out or leave it to the stressful last minute.

The perfect ritual to replace these habits is to pause and close our eyes for at least forty-five seconds to five minutes throughout the day. This meditative ritual is focused on allowing ourselves to connect back with ourselves and our intention. Most importantly, this ritual teaches us that there are seconds and even minutes we can utilize to pause and focus on ourselves, even during the most hectic days.

A powerful affirmation to say when in moments of inner connection is, I AM WORTHY, I AM WORTHY OF GREATNESS, I AM WORTHY OF ALL OPPORTUNITIES AND MANIFESTATIONS ALIGNING FOR ME.

Constant Anger and Loss of Temper

woman in gray turtleneck long sleeve shirtPhoto by Uday Mittal on Unsplash

This can also be a trauma response due to internalizing various emotions and pain. However, it can become a habitual response if it’s not addressed or validated. We are taught that the emotion of anger is bad, but anger is not bad unless it becomes a harmful or violent reaction.

In many Latino homes being angry or feeling any emotions outside of happiness may be looked down upon and even a punishable emotion. Therefore, many of us internalize anger, and it can manifest into lashing out during stressful or fearful moments. Rather than replacing this habit, we will validate this emotion by implementing a Mirror Ritual.
This ritual is focused on learning to speak up and allowing ourselves to process anger more assertively rather than passively or with open aggression. Looking and speaking to the mirror during the state of anger shows us the true reflection of how we process and react when we are angry. It also allows us to release and think more consciously when we approach a situation that angers us. This can be a hard habit to transform if we don’t allow ourselves to accept that anger can be addressed in a healthy way rather than how we were programmed to react.

An ideal affirmation to say while doing the Mirror Ritual is I AM HEALING MYSELF; I AM HEALING MY ENTIRE FAMILY TREE. I AM HEALING GENERATION AFTER GENERATION

Mindless Eating

burger beside fried potatoes with drinking glassPhoto by Christopher Williams on Unsplash

Mindless eating is a habit that can be caused by many triggers, including depression and anxiety. Focusing on mindful eating with intention is a great way to build self-awareness and think about what we put in our bodies. We shift into gratitude by asking ourselves how this food will nourish our bodies and soul.

This ritual should not make us feel bad about our food choices; instead, we focus on gratitude for nourishment. Additionally, setting realistic intentions is important; for instance, the intention of eating more balanced nutritious foods that fuel our bodies rather than not eating at all is more appealing to our soul and mind.

An affirmation to say when eating mindfully is I AM NOURISHMENT, I AM NOURISHING MY BODY AND SOUL, I AM LEARNING TO NOURISH MY BODY AND SOUL EVERYDAY.

Comparing Ourselves to Others

woman putting makeup in front of mirrorPhoto by kevin laminto on Unsplash

Due to social media and society, this habit has increased tremendously amongst every generation. Whether we are comparing our financial status, career, beauty, and bodies, this habit can become an internal psychological warfare for all of us. The ritual to implement here is Self-love and Empathy.

Many of us lack the feeling of love and search for it through other avenues such as likes, comments, money, and plastic surgery. Nothing is wrong with having or wanting any of these things unless it leads to filling a void of love or a belief of inadequacy if we don’t receive or have any of these things. Self-Love and having empathy for where we are on our journey is the key to overcoming the habit of comparing ourselves to others.

A ritual that can be practiced daily is writing love letters or phrases to ourselves and keeping these in a box or on our wall to remind us of who the f*ck we are! The loving affirmation to say and write during this ritual is I AM BEAUTY, I BRING BEAUTIFUL ENERGY EVERYWHERE I GO, I SEE MY BEAUTY IN EVERY REFLECTION I COME ACROSS.

Need more self-love rituals? Check out Full Moon Transformation: Stop Faking it and Start Manifesting. 

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).