Living the Liminal
Rituals and Reflection for the Spring to Summer Transition
Between the wild buzz of late spring and the slow promise of summer, a new lunar chapter begins.
Inside this lunar edition, you’ll find clarity for the chaos, gentle rituals to anchor you, and reminders to celebrate what’s already blooming—even in the in-between. There’s a rhythm waiting for you here, mapped by the moon.
What if your inbox could hold more than another task to cross off?
That’s why I created the Creatrix Almanac. Not just a newsletter, but a living, lunar map—delivered with each new moon, designed to help you sync with what’s real, rooted, and right on time in your own life.
This isn’t about chasing the next season or striving for more. It’s about coming home to your own natural rhythm, one lunar cycle at a time.
The Seasonal In-Between: Read, Reflect, and Journal with the Creatrix During This Season Of Transition.
This month, I’m sharing not just my story, but an invitation for you to explore your own. As you read through my reflections, you’ll find journal prompts woven throughout—each one a gentle nudge to pause, notice, and honor your own season of change. Let this be your space to reflect, write, and root into where you are, right now.
Learning to Notice the Seasons
For most of my life, I was largely oblivious to the changing of the seasons. I knew when summer started—school was out—but the subtle shifts, the tiny markers, often passed me by. I didn’t notice the buds on the trees swelling in February, or track when daffodils and tulips bloomed. Fall was my favorite season, so I probably noticed it most, but when it transitioned into winter? Where I grew up, on the west side, it was just cold rain becoming colder rain, with little snow to mark the change.
Journal Prompt:
How aware have you been of the subtle changes in the seasons around you? What’s a small seasonal sign you often miss but want to notice this year?
A New Way of Engaging with Change
As I’ve grown older, my awareness of the seasons—and my relationship with them—has deepened. Especially in the last five years, I’ve started to sense an internal shift as each new season approaches. I want to spend more time outside, buy flowers, and beautify my space. Sometimes, I get frustrated when the previous season lingers for its final hurrahs, but I remind myself this is all part of the process. Soon enough, I’ll be ready for the next season, with its own gifts and challenges.
It isn’t about wishing away the present; it’s an acknowledgment that I’m ready to move forward, even as I stay present. One foot in the door, one foot out. This liminal space—this transition period—no longer makes me uncomfortable. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to cherish the last bits of the current season while gently preparing for what’s next.
Journal Prompt:
Where in your life do you feel “one foot in, one foot out”? How can you cherish the season you’re in, even as you feel ready for change?
Our Fence Project: Embracing the In-Between
Recently, we’ve been working on our fence—a project that had been waiting for far too long. We started planning in fall 2024, after I found a method that would work within our space and limitations. We knew we’d be doing the work by hand, gathering the right tools through winter and early spring, waiting for a few good weekends to tackle the project in two phases.
Now, we’re in the thick of it. The posts are set, but the concrete needs to cure before we do anything more. It’s tempting to rush, to just “do one little thing,” but I know better. Instead, we’re focused on the middle—the transition work. We clean the tools we no longer need, return the equipment we rented, and start staging materials for what comes next. We’ve sorted the boards for reuse, cleaned up what will become scrap, and done all we can to ensure tomorrow’s work will be successful. Now, we wait. We rest. We plot our next projects. And when it’s done, we’ll celebrate.
Journal Prompt:
What project or part of your life is “curing” right now—waiting, pausing, or quietly preparing for what’s next? How can you honor the transition, not just the finish line?
The Gift of “More”
My therapist recently asked me, “What comes after it’s done?”—meaning, what’s next, in a deeper sense. I thought about it and realized: more. More will always come next. But not in a negative or overwhelming way; more in a forward, hopeful way. I look at this project, all we’ve accomplished, and the surrounding space with fresh eyes, fresh skills, and renewed energy to continue.
That’s life, isn’t it? Not in the negative sense of “always more to do,” but as an acknowledgment that every completion is also a beginning. Life is a liminal space—opportunities to pick up what we no longer need and store it for a future use, return what we’ve borrowed, and stage what we need for the next season of life.
Journal Prompt:
What “more” is ready to unfold in your life, in a hopeful—not—overwhelming way? What can you clear out, return, or prepare as you move into your next chapter?
Honoring the Turning of the Year
As the wheel of the year turns, summer is nearly here, bringing warmer weather, blooming flowers, growing gardens, and the fullness of midsummer.
The solstice is an important time: not only does it mark the midway point of the calendar year, but also the turning point for the sun’s journey in the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, that’s June 21. The summer solstice is when day and night are equal in length—the moment the sun begins its journey in the opposite direction. If you’ve ever seen a time-lapse photo of the sun’s path, it’s an infinity symbol. I digress.
Journal Prompt:
As you approach the solstice, what are you ready to honor, release, or celebrate? What light is shining in your life right now?
Releasing the Pressure to “Do”
We humans put so much pressure on ourselves at this time of year. What have I even done this year? Summer is halfway over, and I haven’t [fill in the blank—outdoors, adventures, fun activities]! Where did the year go? (I’m especially guilty of this; it does feel like time disappears.) Maybe you didn’t start your garden in time, and now it’s “too late.”
But is it? Is it too late, or are you right on time? Maybe you’re in the liminal space—gathering your tools, doing your research, plotting your next move. Maybe this, too, is sacred.
Journal Prompt:
What pressure can you gently release? Where in your life might you be exactly on time, even if it doesn’t look the way you expected?
The beauty of liminal space is that it’s never just yours alone, nature is always in her own cycle of preparation, blooming, waiting, and returning.
As you reflect on your own in-between, the sky above is moving through its rhythms, too.
With every new moon, solstice, and full moon, we’re offered another chance to mark where we are, gather ourselves, and align with something larger. Let’s see what this season’s lunar calendar holds, and how these cosmic milestones can support your next steps, one cycle at a time.
This Lunar Edition: May 26th-June 25th
Living in tune with nature’s rhythm is what makes the Almanac more than a newsletter—each edition drops with the new moon to help you mark time by the lunar calendar 2025 and honor what’s happening now, not what’s next.
Key Dates for This Lunar Cycle:
- May New Moon 2025: Monday, May 26 (Gemini)
- June Full Moon 2025: Wednesday, June 11 (Strawberry Moon, Sagittarius)
- Summer Solstice 2025: Saturday, June 21
Energetic Overview & Soulful Guidance For The Upcoming Lunar Cycle
1. May New Moon in Gemini 🌚♊️
This new moon opens the door to curiosity, flexible thinking, and new stories. Gemini’s energy is all about the power of questions, playful change, and letting your mind breathe.
Soulful takeaway: Use this time to let in fresh air—mentally and emotionally. Begin a conversation you’ve been avoiding (even if it’s with yourself).
Reflection prompt: What am I curious about now, and where is that curiosity leading me?
2. Summer Solstice 🌞⚖️
The solstice marks the highest light of the year—a powerful spiritual turning point. In Mary’s words: “The solstice isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s the sun at its peak, a moment to pause and honor both what has bloomed and what’s quietly growing beneath the surface.”
Soulful takeaway: This is a time for gentle celebration, gratitude, and naming your accomplishments—even the quiet ones.
Reflection prompt: What has this first half of the year brought into full light for me? Where can I celebrate progress, not just completion?
3. June Full Moon🍓🌝♐︎ (Strawberry Moon in Sagittarius)
The Strawberry Moon carries an energy of expansion, adventure, and joyful growth. Sagittarius encourages you to stretch toward new experiences, seek wisdom, and make space for delight.
Soulful takeaway: Notice where you’re craving more freedom or fun, and honor that with a simple act of openness or playfulness—no pressure, just presence.
Reflection prompt: What adventure—big or small—can I invite into my life as summer blooms?
A special Strawberry Moon ritual is coming soon to Moon Mavens. Sign up here if you want the full guide delivered to your inbox
The New Moon in Gemini: Curiosity as a Fresh Start
What the New Moon in Gemini Brings
Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and curiosity. This new moon says: Let your mind wander. Let your curiosity lead. Restlessness and scattered thoughts aren’t flaws—they’re signs you’re tuned in to what’s shifting around you.
This is a moment to open the window to fresh ideas. To stretch your thoughts, rewrite a tired story, and breathe in possibility.
You don’t have to have the answers. You just have to be willing to ask new questions.
Gentle Invitations for This New Moon
- Start that conversation—with yourself or with the world.
- Say what’s been unspoken.
- Follow the question that’s been nudging you.
- Lighten up the stories that feel heavy.
- Give yourself permission to move, connect, and explore—restlessness means you’re alive to the cycles.
Reflection Prompt:
What is the story I’m ready to rewrite—even just a little? Where can I let fresh air in, mentally or emotionally?
Gemini New Moon Ritual: A Curiosity Check-In
Light a candle and give yourself a few quiet minutes to notice what’s happening in both your mind and your body.
Let your breath settle. Gently scan from head to toe—no judgment, just curiosity.
- Where do you feel ease?
- Where do you feel tension or restlessness?
- What’s the story, sensation, or emotion living there?
- What might it be asking you to notice, or release?
You don’t have to solve anything right now. Simply hold space for whatever you find. Let your curiosity soften your awareness, and trust that even the questions are movement.
When you’re ready, thank your body and mind for sharing. Blow out the candle, and imagine sending gentle breath to any place that needs it most.
Prompt for your journal:
What am I holding onto that I can ask about, rather than try to fix? Where does my body or mind want more space, light, or permission to wander?
Summer Solstice: A Celebration of Light and Becoming
The Summer Solstice arrives on June 21st—the sun’s highest point in the sky, the longest day and the shortest night. In every tradition, it’s a time of radiant fullness, warmth, and gentle gratitude. The solstice isn’t just a calendar date; it’s nature’s invitation to pause, honor your journey so far, and gently turn toward what’s next.
What the Solstice Means
The solstice is the wheel’s turning point—a sacred pause between what has blossomed and what is quietly growing, unseen. It’s a chance to notice how far you’ve come, to celebrate your personal harvest, and to acknowledge any places where you’re still waiting, tending, or “curing.”
As Mary writes, “The solstice isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s the sun at its peak, a moment to pause and honor both what has bloomed and what’s quietly growing beneath the surface.”
Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice
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Candle Ritual for the Solstice
Light a candle (the Me First Candle is a beautiful choice) at sunrise, sunset, or any moment you feel called.
As the flame glows, reflect on what you’ve nurtured this year. Speak gratitude for what has bloomed. Then, set a gentle intention for the coming season. What do you want to keep tending—inside and out? -
Nature Walk or Gathering
Spend time outside. Notice the fullness of leaves, the vibrancy of flowers, or the buzz of pollinators. Gather a few small tokens—stones, petals, or herbs—to bring nature’s energy to your home or altar. -
Celebration with Others
Share a meal, a toast, or a simple moment of presence with friends, family, or community. Name something you’re grateful for in each other, or dream together about the next half of the year.
Soltice Companions From The Soulpothecary
Me First Candle: Anchor your solstice ritual in truth and intention, honoring the warmth and fullness of this season. (Use this for The Solstice AND The New Moon!)
Protection Room Spray: Support your nervous system during these high-energy, sun-drenched days. Use it to reset after celebrations or whenever you need grounding.
Solstice Reflection Prompt
What am I most grateful for at this turning point of the year? What light am I ready to celebrate, and what dream am I willing to keep nurturing as the days slowly begin to shorten?
However you honor the solstice, let it be a gentle celebration. You don’t need grand gestures—just a moment of pause, presence, and gratitude for the season you’re in.
Gathering Guide: Wild Foods & Plants of Early Summer
One of the quiet joys of this season is seeing what’s blooming, ripening, and thriving all around us. From wild fields to backyard gardens, early summer is a time of abundance—if you know where to look.
Below is a list of common foods and wild plants often coming into season now across much of the U.S. They offer inspiration for your table, your herbal rituals, or just your next walk in nature.
🌟A gentle reminder: Foraging and using wild plants requires education, respect, and safety. Always use a trusted field guide, local expert, or extension service to positively identify any wild plant before using it for food or ritual. What’s nourishing in one region can be unsafe in another—or in the wrong amount or preparation.
What’s Ripe or Ready in Early Summer?
Wild Blackberries And Raspberries
In the Southeast, Southern Midwest, and some Central and Mid-Atlantic states, wild raspberries and early blackberries may begin to ripen during this lunar cycle (late May through June). In the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, berries are usually still flowering or just forming, with peak ripeness coming later in the summer.
Wild Mint
Wild mint is lush and harvestable across most regions now, especially in the Northeast, Midwest, and parts of the Pacific Northwest, wherever moist soil and partial shade are found.
Dandelion
Dandelions are abundant in most areas, but by late May and June, they may be going to seed in southern and warmer regions. Look for fresh blooms in cooler, northern states, higher elevations, or wherever lawns are mowed infrequently. Leaves and roots can be gathered throughout the cycle, even as the flowers fade.
Plantain (Plantago spp.)
Plantain is widespread and “ready” across the U.S. now, with fresh leaves easily found in lawns, paths, and open disturbed ground in most regions.
Yarrow
Yarrow may just be beginning to bloom in warmer regions (Southeast, South Central), and is emerging or in bud across the Midwest and Northeast. In the West and Pacific Northwest, expect full blooms a bit later, often peaking in July and August.
Elderflower
In the South, Southern Midwest, and some lower elevations of the Northeast and California, elderflowers are beginning to bloom during this lunar cycle. In cooler northern regions and higher elevations, flowering may start later in June or into July.
Mulberries
In the Southeast, lower Midwest, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, mulberries may already be ripening and ready for harvest. In the Northeast and northern states, berries are likely just forming and will be ready in late June or July. In the West, mulberries are less common, but cultivated trees in urban areas may also begin to fruit during this cycle.
A Ritual of Observation & Gratitude
Even if you’re not foraging, simply noticing what’s growing, blooming, or bearing fruit is a powerful way to reconnect with the season. Pause during a walk or visit to the market and ask:
What’s new, vibrant, or unexpectedly thriving right now?
What plant, flower, or fruit feels like it’s “calling” to you this season?
Let your curiosity guide you (hello, new moon in Gemini!). Make a note of what you discover—and, if you feel called, learn more about how these gifts have been used by those who came before.
Above all: Harvest with gratitude, and remember that learning from the land is an ongoing, lifelong process. Please do so responsibly, ethically, and safely. For more info on safe wild plant use, seek out your local extension office, foraging classes, or well-respected herbal field guides. Stay curious, stay humble, and celebrate the wild abundance of this season.
Another Lunar Cycle & Season Well-Lived
As this season blooms and shifts, may you find magic in the waiting, wisdom in the cycles, and gratitude for what’s growing—inside and out. Whether you’re journaling with the Creatrix, marking the lunar calendar, lighting a solstice candle, or simply noticing the wild plants at your feet, remember: you are always right on time for your own next chapter.
Here’s to another lunar turn, another season lived with heart & soul.
From My Soul To Yours,
Mary Horn | The Creatrix