August New Moon Divination: We are a circle, within a circle.

August 23, 2025

Hello, all – The omens this month really echo a lot of what I’ve been seeing in my personal readings over the last few weeks, along with a chant that came to mind in a ritual honoring Hekate recently.

Maybe it’s the old habit of getting ready for a new school year, but it sure seems like a lot of things are getting ready to open up into another level. Do you feel it too?

1. Overall Theme: Willow, for feminine energies. I’ve just finished reading The Heroine’s Journey, by Maureen Murdock, so the sacred feminine looms large in my consciousness right now. One specific element that surfaced when I considered this ogham was the symbol of a circle. It’s often the first shape children draw, symbolizing wholeness and inclusion. We are a circle, within a circle, whether we’re talking about community or our own sense of self. Willow reminds me that there is no need to decide which parts of myself are worthy or unworthy. I don’t even have to label certain parts as More Feminine or More Masculine. I just AM. All of me, encompassed and treasured at the same time. 

2. Potential & Allies: Alder, for trust. Specifically, I think Alder here reminds us to trust ourselves first and last, even while we seek out and integrate guidance from allies. 

3. Static & Obstacles: Elder, for shaming and blaming. Elder can often signal a trauma response, or a sense that we’re trapped into reacting instead of considering. When we react AGAINST something, we place it outside that circle of wholeness that Willow references. Our light doesn’t drive out darkness, because the darkness is valid too. Let your circle be big enough to hold onto all those parts. (No Bad Parts, by Richard C. Schwartz is also on my reading list.) 

4. Letting Go: Holly, for duality.. Holly is often about making either-or choices. I think, for the purposes of circularity and inclusion, the ogham in this position encourages me to let go of thinking that creates artificial divisions. Since it’s also a sword, letting go of the need to attack or put up a fight may also be useful, especially if it’s triggered by shame or blame like Elder warns of as well. 

5. Helping Grow: Witch Hazel, for hidden knowledge. The joke here is that “magic” and hidden knowledge is often right in front of us. This is the third time I’ve gotten Witch Hazel in a reading this week, after not seeing it in any reading for perhaps a year – maybe even longer! Three times is a MESSAGE, right? For me, it was a reminder of a remedy I already had for a problem causing me a lot of literal pain. (Yay, yellow jacket stings.) Can you help your awareness of your own surroundings grow, expand in a circle of breath and vision, so you’ll notice something “magically” available to help you?

As always, I’m curious what you see in this month’s reading. Please let me know, and feel free to share with any friends you think might get something out of it too. 

Bright blessings,

Nicole

P.S. If you’re curious about the chant (by Rick Hamouris) that’s my earworm right now, here’s a YT link. Lyrics start about 1:00 in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeIwDKval6M

~ Nicole (Nikki, sometimes Saffron Hare) is founder and general manager at Nine Fires Press. Her Druidic practice has included solitary, small-group, and congregational worship, with a focus on liturgy and seership. She loves to fall in love with bad ideas.