In Spring of 1996, astrologer and teacher Robert Buz Myers asked all his students to make a Treasure Map for the Aries New Moon. I was fortunate to have been a participant in the process, and it was an extraordinary experience. I have been sharing this process for 30 years.
A treasure map is like a vision board, it is a collage of photos, pictures and words. Whatever you want, you put them on poster board. This board will be your MAP of what you want for the coming year. It is your call out to the Universe. This is your Treasure Map.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "What do I want for the coming year?"
Exactly what it says. Do you want a new house, a new living room, better health, stronger marriage, reconnect with people, a bigger family, a bigger community? Do you want to write your book? Do you want a new car? What is it you want?
Do you even know what you want? If you are like many of us, you are so busy running around, taking care of everyone else that you might not have a fig of an idea what you want for your new year. That is the beauty of this process. You must sit down and figure it out. Give yourself this time to do it. Be just that selfish and dare to dream.
Why do we do it now and not January?
Treasure Maps are made during the Aries new moon. Aries new moon change from year to year and this year, it will take place on April 17, 4: 51am PDT
They are made on Aries new moon, because that is the first sign of the zodiac. Aries is when you plant your seeds. It is the real beginning of the New Year. It should not be confused with the first day of spring, which is on March 19 or 20. New moon means the sun and moon are in the same degree. For those who don't know much about astrology (which is totally okay) Aries is the sign of SIGHT. So, that's why it is so important to have pictures of what you want. You need to visualize it. Or if you don't do photos/pictures. Put up words. It is just important for you to SEE THEM.
So, I'm going to be busy on April 17 can I before the 17th?
NO.
Do I have to buy a bunch of magazines, I'm broke, can I just borrow some old ones from friends
Personally, when I started my treasure maps I always did them with fresh new magazines. And in the old days, (not married, no children) I spent a lot of dough because I wanted lots of choices. I now only get a few to stimulate my thinking. If you collect magazines from friends or groups before the new moon, please don’t crack them. Wait until after the Aries new moon to even open them up. Let them be a fresh experience for you.
What if I don't want magazine photos, can I just use my own pictures?
Yes! You can print up photos. You can also use images from pininterest, etc. You can draw and paint, this is you MAP. Do what your feelings and instincts call you to do.
Do I only focus on things?
Heck no! I would also encourage you to focus on beliefs and experiences. Write strong Affirmations in the present tense like “I’m abundant” or “I am always feeling loved” “My health is vibrant.” “My partner and I are always growing closer.”
Is there any pattern I must use when I put the photos or the words on my board?
No you can do it anyway you want.
I will say that in previous years my friends and I used the feng shui baguas for pattern. Basically, I would put up my images that match the themes of the 9 areas. A grid like this:
123
456
789
1-abundance
2-fame/reputation
3-relationship
4-family
5-health
6-creativity
7-self-knowledge
8-work
9-helpful people and angels & travel
If you use the feng shui baguas, you will naturally cover most areas of your life. As you can see it is all represented there. But again, you don’t have to do it that way. Some people have even made round boards.
Can I build a cyber map?
Many mappers are more comfortable with cyber maps, which are always on their computer.
And they have had success. Again, it is your call, do what your heart tells you to do.
How much time do I have to build my map?
You have the waxing phase of the moon which is basically the first two weeks. However, if you can do it in the first week or ten days you will get the full Aries gusto of ‘be here now’. If you find yourself at the full moon, with no map, then skip it this year. It is okay to miss a year. Farmers let fields sit fallow. Take a year off and make a map next year. Full moon this year is May 1, 10:23am PDT
Do I have to do it alone or can I do it with friends?
You can do it either way. I have built mine with my 2 other friends. We started them together and finished them alone at our homes. I know that there are several people who have parties where they invite those close to them over. It is a lot of fun to do them with others--.We would all pass around the magazines.. "Hey, I found a great beach bungalow does anyone need a beach vacation? Or, "I have got to lose 10 pounds, any ideas what I should put on my map?" and low and behold someone will come up with a good suggestion. And then there are other people who just prefer to do it alone so they can commune with their higher self and have no distractions.
Do I have to finish it all at one sitting?
No. Often I used to cut my stuff out with my friends. Maybe glue a little thing here or there and then take it home and finish it over the course of a day or two.
Can my kids do it with me?
Yes! It is great for them to focus and think about what they want. Have them build their own maps.
Does it work?
Yep. Buz said we always get results by Cancer Lunar Month or green shoots, this is accurate, it can also happen right away. It is sometimes as if the Universe says, “I was waiting for you to show up, now let’s get this thing cookin’’ Cancer new moon is July 14th.
Okay. I don't want to sound like a spoilsport, but I’m just not interested in building a collage, can I do something else?
Sure you can take a piece of orange paper and write down wishes or affirmations during Treasure Map time. My wishes can sometimes feel like prayers, and they are much broader in my desires. At times I felt like I needed to switch to 'less is more' after several years of mapping. However, I would encourage newcomers to make the actual maps. But if you really don't feel the call then just write your desires down.
Is it ok to have things continue over to the next year? Long-term, ongoing stuff that has progressed but needs to continue to progress?
Yes. Of course. But with a small caveat. My experience is that when something really takes time and doesn't gel in the first year then there may be something that still needs to shift. It could be internal it could be external. Maybe something in the goal needs refining or maybe something unrelated to the goal needs to get figured out. For example, one mapper had a baby on her map for a couple of years it was not until she and her husband moved two time zones away that the baby arrived. Perhaps the baby needed a new community, a new energy to land in? Same with jobs? Or meeting a partner? Just might need to be in another city. If you are feeling drawn to a move it might be for a bigger reason. Or maybe it is not a move it is just a change in community or of course an attitude shift. The maps hear you but they may send some work for you to do to get that goal.
I'm excited is there anything I can do now before Treasure Map to help my map?
Yes, yes, yes.... I said this in previous years and I'll remind everyone now. Get rid of clutter. Get rid of things that are bugging us. Get rid of ick. Clear some space in your life so you can be ready for the treasure map. Remember quantum physics. "NO TWO THINGS CAN OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE." Read that several times... Now ask yourself, “Do I have space in my house, my family, my time, my life in general and my brain for more? “ If the answer is no. Then start housecleaning!
Clear out the stuff, take things to Goodwill or to the shop to be repaired. Give to friends or Freecycle. Do what you can to clear your space and tweak it so you feel good about your environment. Also consider clearing out your emails, your cyberworld. Clear out the thinking that is broken, “I can never _______ because I am ______” Catch yourself when you are doing small janky thinking and let it go.
I personally don't buy any of my supplies before the New starts. But I know some of you can't do that and if you must buy before, please put aside and don't touch it until the new. Don't thumb through magazines. Leave it all be.
Have a great Treasure Mapping experience!
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