Do yourself a favor this August. . .
Invest in your creative projects with newfound passion!

We can always count on Leo to get the party started.
​However, this New Moon in Leo is shining its light in a more orderly fashion.
​Spirit is encouraging you to step up and demonstrate mastery or leadership in your field!

"What is Real"?

Lions are loyal protectors and providers.
They take pride in being the King of the jungle as well as, keeping their royalties in tact.
The moon is here to soften Leo's masculine side.
Why?
This will allow us the opportunity to express our emotions without having polished them first.
Enough is Enough!
It's time to make clear decisions about how you will allow others to treat you.
On the road to self development boundaries must be set.
Allow extensive periods of self reflection before taking action.
Leo's are always seeking out new ways to transform into their best self.
They know that if they focus on themselves first, they become a more valuable asset in their environment.

And make no mistake about it, these regal beings LOVE to be both wanted and needed.
Tap into the POSITIVE aspects of self-centeredness and introspection, then allow the bold and confident lion hearted traits to guide you to the next level of mastery in the areas of career and romance.

Tired of taking shortcuts to healing?
Well, this new Moon in Leo is giving you the confidence it takes to affirm your strength, BEYOND the trauma.
It's time we put passion back into our creative projects!
Besides. . . . what good is doing what you love if you can't do it with confidence and diligence?

The universe is adding fuel to our fire with the Grand Leo Celebration! Within a month's time we will get to experience The Sun, Moon, Mars , Mercury and Major Solar Eclipse in Lion Mode!

Don't just get to work, PUT YOUR HEART IN IT & protect what is yours!

Sun in Leo: Positive movement forward, leadership, passion, creativity, multidimensional tact, generative energy, outgoing, upbeat, strong, perseverant.
What to watch for: Direct Issues or resolutions with Federal government/ authorities. -
Career shifts due to new creative projects
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Moon in Leo: Reflective, Realistic, Spontaneous yet disciplined, emotionally hesitant, polished, overly critical of personal development, loyal, observant, keen, evolutionary. -
What to watch for: Battle of the Heart & Mind. -
Becoming realistic with your comforts (addictions, relationships, food etc.)
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Mercury in Leo: Passionate , direct, bold, risky, confident communication. -
What to watch for: Confrontation, lack of compassion in regards to public situations, minor miscommunications that lead to major problems.

Indigenous women live their lives under the microscope of the world.
Society belittles us for what we do, then they proceed to imitate it.
From our style of dress, to our speech and even our movements, we are being strategically monitored. 
They've ridiculed the physique of original woman, and put our bodies on display for the entertainment of their peers.
Remember Sarah Baartman? A Khoisan house servant from South Africa, who was forced to display her body in private shows. She was instructed to wear skin tight clothing, or little to nothing at all.
As she walked on stage, everyone in the crowd would reach for her private areas in disrespectful amazement. They'd scream out her new nickname "Venus Hottentot" and mock her gestures/strut. As a result, Sarah became a money making scheme for a business she never intended to participate in.

Due to months of major fasting in The Khoisan culture, storing fat in the buttocks was a survival tactic for the body. These women honored their bodies for function NOT fashion, yet mischievous caucasians of the 19th century, made it their business to exploit the natural aesthetic of our sisters. Even after death they removed her genitals for artists to sketch and to put in a glass case as a museum exhibit.
Sarah Baartman is one example of the beginnings of man's oversexualization of the assets,  lips, breasts and thighs.
In North America, towards the beginning and mid parts of the trans-atlantic slave trade, doctors worked alongside scientists to deem dark skin and larger facial/body features as 'animalistic'. 
They used the genetic differences of original people to classify them as the subservient race, which became a major justification point for the inhuman acts of slavery.

Now what does this have to do with black girls and body image?
Fasten your seatbelt, because you're in for quite a ride. 

Let's begin with the imitation, shall we?
The same features doctors once classified as "subservient", they are now influencing their standard of beauty (caucasian women) to inject hormones, silicone etc. into their bodies, in order to increase lip, butt, hips and thigh size. 

Our style of dance is also often under ridicule. When a black woman twerks it is "ratchet", "degrading" etc. 
When a pale Russian woman twerks, it's "exercise", "a flow of movement", and an "expression of  freedom".

So, how should one feel about the belittling of their culture ?

Things aren't sufficient when we do it but it's marketed as an upscale way of life by society when "whites" participate in it. 
This makes a young black girl feel invaluable, devious, less than a prize, unwanted, undesirable and ultimately can influence desperation. 
If a woman who once had a small behind, suddenly becomes 10X times more attractive in the eyes of the society when she buys bigger assets and gets a spray or tank tan, what messages are you sending to the women who were born that way?
Also, what messages are you sending to sisters who already had this size/shape before it was popular?
And if our hue and physique is so spectacular that people will spend thousands of dollars on it, why have all peoples of the world turned their backs on us?

The constant slander and restraint put on the physical bodies of our women has left critical cycles of distorted self image and low self esteem.
"Smile, you're too beautiful to be frowning" means nothing to a woman who has been disregarded time after time for women who merely imitate what comes naturally to her. 
It means nothing when the only time she is called upon, is for her misuse or degradation.
It means nothing when she has been abandoned by her man and left to be the sole provider in the household.
It means nothing when she isn't honored and appreciated apart from birthdays and holidays.

LET'S BE HONEST
There's little to no appreciation of the woman, when her naked body isn't up for use.
Society makes us out to be undesirable when we are on our menstrual cycles, after we've had children or underwent any health procedures. 

For centuries, we were told our hair texture was unappealing.
Cover it up, perm it, wear a wig or weave, do anything besides honor what grew from you.
Every representation of who we are is mocked, by even our own men.
They now dress up in wigs, lipstick and imitate their black mothers for the entertainment of online viewers.

Women who have lost the resilience and perseverance required to uphold a level of self-value, are utilizing their bodies for their own profit. Their mentality is, "if society can make money off of exploiting me, why not exploit myself"?
Make no mistake about it, these things have nothing to do with a woman's style of dress because it guarantees nothing. However, it's about the impression these experiences have on the psyche of that individual woman that will determine her long term behavioral response.
Majority of the adjustments or adaptations women have made is to due to their circumstance and the social/political climate in their environment.
It is not who they are, and it is not who they will be in 50 years because the cycles are being broken now. 

Body Positivity 

I am both a lover and discourager of the nudist movement. I trust that everything pure is done in moderation. Not in protest for the respect of others but in protest to the psyche that we are freeing ourselves. 
Body positivity begins with accepting oneself thoroughly.
It has nothing to do with how naked you can be, but moreso how comfortable you are naked.

Do you accept yourself? 
Whether you are a size 1 or a size 24, you deserve to show yourself respect and accept nothing less from others.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,  the perceptions of others is NOT a confirmed truth.
How you feel inside, is the only confirmed truth that the universe will respond to AKA the centerpoint of  your karma.

Personally, growing up as a skinny, tall black girl with no breasts or behind was challenging for me until I learned why I manifested this way.  I am a GEM, and you ought to know that you are to. The information stored within my DNA is far to valuable, so God hid it in the perfect vessel. The one they would ridicule and imitate but never successfully duplicate. Find your reason, live in your purpose and be proactive so you aren't just reacting or responding to their poison. 

The mainstream feminist movement of today, is a weapon of patriarchy itself. They want to convince our women that sterilizing themselves via birth control pills and patches is empowering. They want to convince our women that removing life from their body is a feminine victory.
Your body is your own, but why are the mainstream areas of focus taking away vitality instead of adding to it?

It's just food for thought my dear sisters,
I have no desire to shame women that have had abortions or that take birth control pills. However, the inner workings of this system will lead you to believe that rebelliousness is righteousness. 
The beginning of this article took us through a few different points, but the most important thing we must do as sisters is set the tone for a new era of divine self esteem.
As the nurturers and expanders of our communities, we must abolish fear and any limitations that will stop us from ascending collectively. 
Regardless of what the rest of the world has done to us, we must take into account that the security of our daughters is at risk. Rather than wait for the protection and provisions of men, government and other groups of women. We must strategically weed out the negative images that we ourselves hold as truth.

Tips
Accept Yourself (You are perfect, just as you are in this moment) 
Challenge yourself to grow (changing your perspective, changes your reality)
If you do not like your body,  work on it! (Not because they said so, but because you want to)
If you are not valued in a relationship, remove yourself! ( double check to see where the lack of value resides within)
Find at least two trustworthy sisters to share your moments with ( do not overburden yourself) 
Eat healthy (even if it's only one meal a day) 
Stretch ( maintain a healthy blood flow)
Retrace your childhood to adulthood (disregard all negative self talk and outside talk)
Affirm your beauty ( Speak to your higher self)
Give love (energy is a cycle, what you put out you will receive)
Be receptive (The universe will only allow you to see what are willing to accept)

Writer: @MrsMelaninReigns
Model: @MrsMelaninReigns
Photographer: @YOUniversall

COPYRIGHT © 2017 MELANIN REIGNS ESSENTIALS LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Mama Moon is throwing shade! 
In fact....she has a mouthful to say!
And she's eloquently crying out  "GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!"
​
That's RIGHT!

The multi-faceted energy of Gemini Sun is still airing out in the midst of this Full moon. 
BUT, great news. . .
Your ability to regain focus is back and if you implement the right techniques, it may be here to stay.
Wherever Capricorn and 'Saturn' are in your chart, is where you'll need to check to see where the universe has highlighted your need for boundaries, prioritizing and proper care.
(Thoroughly analyze the role of the house they are in and the surrounding planets.)
In western astrology, the full moon takes place approximately 17 degrees in capricorn, whilst the sun gradually transitions through Cancer for its last couple of weeks. 
​
Allow the intuitive nature of the Cancerian energy to balance out the strict and determined nature of Capricorn. This will aid in avoiding conflicts surrounding the home, mother, and all other extents of domestic/ local affairs. Issues with citywide government or authorities and local law could potentially become a factor as well. Enhance your workplace by adding a touch of sensitivity and nurturing, as this will yield the best results with co worker and new clients. Saying what you mean, and meaning what you say is a strength, but try not to come across as domineering.

"Simultaneously building to destroy" repetitiously came through as I channeled the following messages:

Much like the energy of Virgo, Capricorn adds a flair of precision and logic.
 This provides us with the extra push we sometimes require to put our ducks in a row.
Capricorn's ruler 'Saturn' is in trine to 'North Node' (which has recently transitioned to Leo), as well as 'Asteroid Vesta'.
Saturn itself is the planet of restriction, hard work, law, karma, struggle, limitations etc.
All in effort to teach us longevity and true in depth healing.
Due to the energies of the trine amplifying the structure and discipline of the full moon, our Lunar Lesson of July revolves around ONE question
" Will you step up and do what it takes to be who you are here to be?"

Full moons offer us an opportunity to cleanse and prep for new beginnings.
Here are 5 Helpful Tips to "Get Your Shit Together"

1. Commit to a level of sobriety 
Spirit has such a funny way of sending messages for you, through your intent to guide others. 
YES beloveds, we must commit to a new level of sobriety.
The uncomfortable changes many of us are experiencing, is due to wool we willingly pulled over our own eyes. When the psyche is altered, (depending on substance) it raises our tolerance level for laziness, unproductivity and lack of discipline.
There's no need for any shame, because we all tend to turn to something for comfort.
Allow me to redefine sobriety the Melanin Reigns way:
Sobriety: The ability to evolve to one's highest potential without reliance upon any person, place or thing to alter the psyche.
Committing to a level means picking a day a week, a week a month, a month a year or whatever works for you.
Always remember to start where you are. Slow progress is better than no progress.
So, whether it be food, alcohol, sex, money, drugs etc. We are urged to practice detachment of ALL "psychological vacations" that distract us from our energetic work.

​2. Make a Clear Decision on Direction
Get in tune with where you would like to go. It's as simple as that! Decide your direction and commit to the work it takes to get there.

3. Prioritize 
Once you make your decision, it's time to start differentiating between what is and isn't important.
 Make a list of your needs versus  your wants and see where adjustments need to be made.
Where have you been spending too much time, with too little return? And with whom?

4. WRITE IT DOWN
We weren't too far in grade school before we learned how writing things down impact our memory.
Hack your mind by training it to remember the things that you would like to happen.
The heart is the true guide of this "reality". The light it holds is multi-dimensional, unlike the mind.
This means that anything you are heartfelt about/ attach emotion to is ten times likely to manifest.
Allow your mind to be guided by your heart through written recognition. Our ability to create is magnified when our mind, body and soul are in alignment.

5. TRUST It
'Saturn'(ruler of Capricorn) comes through to aid us in achieving longevity.
It represents a season of sowing seeds.
Take note that now is not the time for self doubt and discouragement.
The formula to success is as follows:
W+W+T=S
Will + Work+Trust= Success
Anytime you work diligently and consistently towards your goals with confidence, you achieve them.
As stated above, when you are heartfelt about something/attach emotion to it, it is more likely to manifest. More often than not, people attach negative emotions to their goals because of their mindstate of lack, thus producing more lack. 
Make a list of everything you need to get to your goals. Break down the resources you'll need, people you may need to reach, certifications it might require etc. 
Put a date on what you're striving for. Utilize quarter organization by dividing your timeline into fourths.
Acknowledge that nothing and no one can stop you, unless you so choose.

Prosperity and wholeness Melanated Beings & a Happy Full Moon To You!

​Writer: @MrsMelaninReigns
Photograph: Google Images