In our constantly-connected world, overwhelmed with intentional and unintentional disinformation around every social media corner, there is immense pressure to be authoritatively informed, or to at least present such a face to the world. A good leader, however, knows how to say, "I don't know."

It isn't a celebration of ignorance, but an act of humility, to decide not to speak until you have taken the time to move into a grounded position. The Emperor in their best form doesn't hide from the real world, but seeks trusted and varied sources of information, hearing multiple sides and diverse arguments before making a consequential proclamation.

You don't have to have a hot take about everything as soon as it happens in order to be an informed, engaged leader.

They are comfortable in a wide range of climate conditions, blending in on difficult terrain where their ability to make quick calculations and decisions gives them a decided advantage over prey.

Snow Leopard is a hunter. Are you? What gets your brain going in a way that makes your heart beat faster?

How often do you find yourself saying something along the lines of, "I just don't understand why anyone would ," or, "I don't get how anyone could ." You may want to consider, is it worth trying to understand why or how? If so, if having a clearer concept of the mechanisms by which things that confound you happen could help you to respond to those things more effectively, how can you go about learning more?

The Emperor needs to know that they are hearing the voices of all their people. Be wary of "The Emperor's New Clothes" situations, where we assume that everyone feels the same level of safety and comfortability raising their voice. If we want to hear from everyone, we need to be actively talking to people who we don't normally hear from, and beyond that, asking ourselves why we don't normally hear from them.

During this lunation our magpie oracle brings in a ring made for me by my niece made from hot glue and beads, a creation of her own mind, representing the ingenuity and creative potential in trying out something new that we aren't sure is going to work.

This piece calls us to ask where our vision takes us. Where does inspired, creative passion call you to lead? Where can you encourage others to lead, and where can you nourish groups to become leaderful, brimming and bubbling up with creative potential?

An important skill that we are called to learn in this lunation is discernment between the sensations of taking a principled stance or course of action, and taking a defensible or justifiable stance or course of action that is not rooted in principle. This is vital for a number of the challenges we face in our modern world, not least of which is knowing when we need more information. I have often felt that something I was saying or doing was defensible or justifiable that I went on to regret, I'm sure most of us have. When I can perceive the difference between the justifiable and the justified, I have the opportunity to learn. I may find out that my justifiable position is in fact justified, rooted in a value that I hold dear and supported by verifiable information. And I may find something else. This is how we learn to speak with (justified) authority — by knowing our shit and backing it up.

THE CEREMONY: reflect power

This small daily ritual is meant to bring you back into relationship with your own authority—not the kind that dominates, but the kind that listens, learns, and leads with care. Do this practice in the morning, before a meeting or creative session, or anytime you feel unmoored or unsure.

What You’ll Need:

Step 1: Ground

Sit or stand comfortably. Feel your feet on the floor, your breath in your body. Let yourself arrive. You don’t need to be certain. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to be here.

Step 2: Reflect

Look at your mirror or image. Let your gaze be soft and open.

Say (aloud or internally):

“I reflect power. Not to conquer, but to connect.
I hold my truth with care.
I listen before I speak.
I lead by presence, not performance.”

Let the image or your reflection show you something today—maybe some needed strength, maybe a valuable vulnerability, maybe a question worth asking.

Step 3: Ask

Quietly, ask yourself:

Where am I being called to listen today?
What kind of authority am I being asked to embody?
Is my response principled, or just defensible?

Don’t rush the answers. They may come later in conversation, in a feeling, or in your dreams.

Step 4: Close

Thank yourself for showing up. If you used a grounding object, touch it again. If you lit a candle, snuff it out. Carry the sense of grounded presence with you.

THE RITUAL: co-create

This month, if you can, I would love for you to engage in ritual with other people. Find a friend or three to sit in the woods, or on a rooftop under the full moon together. You don’t need a script. In fact, better without one. I encourage you instead to practice the art and skill of co-created ritual to celebrate and stand together in shared community power.

I learned ritual cocreation in the Reclaiming tradition, so these tips are based on that spiritual education.

1. Embrace Shared Leadership

Give everyone a voice. Try to avoid hierarchical leadership roles. Make sure everyone knows that whatever experience or creativity they bring to the ritual, it is welcome and so are they.

2. Prioritize Inclusivity and Intersectionality

Many cultural practices are different from your own. I once attended a Reclaiming ritual where someone thought it would be appropriate to tell the circle caster that she was “going the wrong way,” forcing her to interrupt the ritual to explain that her tradition was different from Wicca and she was going exactly the way she was meant to be going. Don’t be that guy.

3. Engage in Participatory Practices

Rituals should be experiential, with everyone actively involved. If someone seems left out, find out how they can be brought in! The circle is for everyone.

4. Utilize Ecstatic and Embodied Practices

Incorporate movement, chanting, and other embodied practices to raise energy and deepen connection. Make sure your embodied movement is inclusive of all bodies present.

5. Foster Open Communication and Reflection

Encourage open dialogue before and after rituals to share experiences, insights, and feedback. The only way to know if your ideas will be inclusive of everyone is to ask.

As the moon waxes and wanes, may you stay curious, principled, and leaderful. Ask better questions, share power, and let your rituals be living things—messy, magical, and made together. You already hold the tools. You already carry the fire.

in revolution and revelation,
— BJ ✷