Moon Altars: Technical Merit Award

Tracey Dawn is the winner of the Moon Altar: Technical Merit Award. Her portable altar consists of a number of physical and digital tools used individually or jointly to guide her work with Grandmother Moon's energy.

At the center of her system is a small wood box with a stone top that one of her students gifted her. The box is approximately 3 inches/7.6 centimeters in diameter and 3 inches/7.6 centimeters tall with the moon phases on top. She uses the box to hold dried plant medicines she's working with each month around the moon's cycle and her own personal moon time.

"Plants often come into my awareness to work with for healing physically or energetically," explains Tracey Dawn. "I don't always use them in my ceremonial work, but I set up this altar and usually charge it quarterly at the equinoxes and solstices to inspire my healing, personal growth, and prayers. And sometimes I add other things as they come along."

She also uses an online moon calendar app (called The Moon Calendar ). "You set up the app with your birth date, so it's an astrology app as well that gives you a horoscope prediction each day that reflects the current moon energy and how it may be affecting you," she adds. "The app also suggests rituals and practices that can help you work with the moon energies. I use this app almost every day and really love how it's often in alignment with what is going on in my life. It offers wonderful guidance."

In addition to the online Moon Calendar app, Tracey Dawn also works with a physical lunar calendar. "The Lunar calendar is from Luna Press and was gifted to me two years in a row by a friend," she clarifies. "I really love the art in this calendar and the teachings, which are Celtic in nature and give guidance on plants for each moon cycle. I also love this calendar because it shows the lunation cycle very clearly rather than the calendar month. I like to use it with Jamie Sam's 13 Original Clan Mothers and her Earth Medicine: Ancestor's Ways of Harmony for Many Moons books because it really helps me figure out which day in the lunation cycle I'm in. Plus, the Quan Yin drawing from the 2023 version of this calendar has really inspired my internal work and all things moon-related." She adds that that she consults Quan Yin when she does journey work or shadow work and that Quan Yin helps her walk with compassion and grace when she's struggling emotionally.

Additionally, Tracey Dawn records her experiences in a physical moon journal from WorthWhilePaper.com, which she likes because it reminds her to note the phase of the moon as she writes. "My work is in constant change as my moon is in Gemini, so I'm often changing or flowing with different energies that resonate with me at that particular time," she continues. "My emotions flow like the wind, in constant change with the moon and the universe. I regularly record my experiences in my moon journal at the new and full moons so I can maintain a record of my feelings and intuitive dreams, which always seem strongest at these times. It's very helpful to reflect on these writings periodically because it helps me become aware of any patterns and growth."

Looking at her use of these tools and where she thinks she will go next with them, Tracey adds, "I've spent a lot of time this year working on introspection and I'm grateful for all of the feminine teachings and guidance I've received. I'm very interested in learning more about ceremonies that honor rites of passage and feminine energies, so I may expand this work into my community."