The Council of Eight
How my moon guardians were born
I’ve always been watching the moon since I was a little girl.
A small dot in the sky at night would be shining into my room, no matter where I lived. If I couldn’t see it one day, I would move around my cottage to find it and check to see how it’s looking that night. There would be days when it wouldn’t even be present, and I was always confused about how it could just disappear before returning, looking different again.
As I got older and went through basic science classes, I learned it would look different, and my curiosity for it grew. This was when I started researching more about the moon.
How some cultures view the moon as a “her.” Those who feared or worshiped “her.” How there are eight different phases. How each phase meant something different. Some people can see a face on “her” surface or a rabbit pounding mochi. The research kept going on and on.
So many stories, science, and beliefs around this “small dot in the sky” people been trying to figure out for millennia. It would fascinate me to no end!
Recently, from about 2024 through 2025, I have been catching the moon on my way to my side gig, including some lunar phases. I always tried catching them in college, but it seemed the placements in the area worked against me.
I’ve caught the eight phases of the moon, each lasting their usual three days, along with the Super Moon, Blue Moon, Blood Moon, and the Harvest/Hunter’s Moon, which came around in October. They’ve all been wonderful to catch in the quiet night.
So, during the summer of 2025, I’ve decided to make a series in tribute to the eight phases of the moon first, and later want to add the lunar moons as part two. More on that next time.
I wanted to make my own rendition of the eight moon phases. I’ve never seen someone come up with the idea of making the moon her separate person, so it was my choice to make. Most people tend to make the moon as one woman looking different to signify the phases, from what I have noticed in most art. I made the phases as sisters doing their jobs for three days before the next one took over. Each sister’s “ages” represent the meaning they have.
For example, New Moon being a baby because the phase means several things. The mark of the beginning of the lunar cycle, setting new intentions, the beginning of new projects, and planting “seeds” metaphorically. Anything to do with new beginnings and the start of something. Like a baby starting life.
The Full Moon, who’s tasked with culmination, harvest, and celebration. The peak time for illumination and the intentions set by New Moon coming into fruition. I’ve made her a pregnant woman to showcase that she will be the mother of the four lunar moons instead of changing into them, and each of them will be said fruitions of what she is.
This series is all about the moon; this had to be the most monochromatic portraits I’ve ever done so far. Most of my visits with other guardians produced vibrant palettes representing them. The council of sisters was cloaked in black, silver, grays, and white when appearing before me, plus the forest I’ve seen them in was practically in darkness, so their portraits represent the silence and bareness of the night they reside in. It’s fitting for them!
And because of these thoughts in my mind, they slowly appeared as such before me.
They were kind in each of their own way while their appearance was brief and quick like their disappearance. The night sky rarely has sound going through it compared to daytime’s. It still had an impact on me in learning how to go through life in silence and intention. To be at peace with the self than forcing being in a crowd like what I’ve been taught.
Creating their portraits at night was a meditation for me. I work best during those hours, so why change it?
I wanted to capture each woman and girl welcoming others the same way they’ve welcomed me. To the sky, they are watching over everyone, and continuing their quiet tasks of setting new beginnings, rejuvenation, meditation, and celebration.
And so, my lady or lord reading this, the council of sisters is watching over you in the night sky, and whoever you choose to help in your goals, they will all celebrate your outcome.