Large Sun, Moon and Star Soapstone Essential Oil Burner

Star (16) - Miracles, prophecy, hope
When many of us in the west think of the star as a symbol the first one that comes to mind is the star that announced to the wise men the birth of Jesus Christ. As such we connect the star with hope and prophecy and we begin its association through countless civilisations with mysticism, cosmic forces and universal mystery. The Mayans and Egyptians are known to have mirrored star constellations in the arrangement of their pyramids and some Native American tribes see the stars as the souls of their ancestors watching over them.

The star is a symbol of something much greater than ourselves because it has a connection with the very foundation of life, with the very beginnings of the universe, and how creation actually started. The mystery lies in how light came from darkness. In many traditions there was a blackness, a void, and from this void creation sprang. Stars and suns are widely seen to be part of this moment. The star signals a belief in the ability of something to come from nothing - a belief in miracles. A star is like saying 'yes' to life. It is like a positive affirmation, saying that you are always open to the unexpected.

Sun (10) - energy, vitality, masculine
The sun is seen to represent the father and male principle, whilst in contrast, the moon signifies the mother and feminine principle. It's the source of heat and the bringer of light out of darkness and symbolises vitality, passion, courage and knowledge.

Just because it's generally referred to as a masculine energy doesn't mean that it's just for men. Both men and women have their male and female aspects. We all develop, and have the ability to access, them both.

The sun symbol features in many traditions, and some depict it as the symbolic centre of heart of the universe. Although viewed as a male principle in the majority of traditions, in Germany and Japan, as well as in tribes in some areas of the Celtic world and Africa, it was, for a time, viewed as female. The connection with the sun has led to many people worshipping its energy and vitality, with Peru, Mexico and Egypt being most famous for their sun cults.

As far as icons of the sun go, they are varied throughout the world. The Peruvian's depicted it in human form with a golden face, but it's also commonly shown as a gold disc, a rayed disc, a half-disc with or without rays and even as a wheel or spiral. Likewise, the colours used vary, from bright and golden yellow, to red, bronze and terracotta.

Moon (17) - Intuition, feminine, psychic
Throughout many traditions the sun represents the father and male principle and the moon the mother and feminine principle. The energy of the moon is intuitive, deep, subtle, feminine and psychic. To say this is a feminine energy does not mean to say this energy is just for women. Men and women have their female and male aspects. We all develop them both.

The moon is also associated with clairvoyance and knowing without thinking. To use the energy of the moon does not involve conscious thought. So to wear or have around you the symbol of the moon is to state your universal intention to use your intuition, to simply go with what you feel and to know that to do this is for your greater good.

The moon has different phases and throughout these phases it affects us in different ways. For example the full moon represents illumination, unconscious made conscious and all can be seen. The crescent moon symbolises new beginnings and the making of dreams into reality. Because of this cyclic nature the moon it is also connected to rebirth and how our true essence really is immortal.