Treasure Map- the most important vision board to make!
What is a treasure map?
Hi! Welcome to my yearly post on Treasure mapping. This is a one of a kind vision board, created once a year, and ONLY on the Aries New Moon. I have been making a treasure map, thanks to my dear friend Tracy Abbott Cook for about 18 years give, or take, with a few years in there, that I did not make one. Treasure mapping day(s) have become a very special and important time for me each year. It is when I personally celebrate the new year, according to the lunar cycles. It is also Spring a time of planting seeds for manifestations!
Simply put, a Treasure Map is a vision board, but it’s specific to being created only on the Aries New Moon. The New Moon marks a time of new beginnings, intention setting, and planting the seeds for the cycle ahead. It symbolizes a blank slate, and an opportunity to welcome fresh possibilities and step into the unknown with confidence.
When the New Moon aligns with Aries, its energy becomes especially potent! Aries, ruled by Mars, is a fiery and bold sign that fuels action, independence, and forward momentum. This lunar phase, typically occurring in March or April, also signifies the astrological new year, initiating the first chapter of the zodiac cycle.
Perhaps you are new to making any type of vision board. The process is intuitive and creative. You do not have to be an artist, it does not have to be perfect, it only has to be meaningful to you. The most common way to create a treasure map, is to make a collage out of images you find in magazines, or print off the computer. The size and style are entirely up to you. Some use an 8 x 11 size paper. Some use giant poster boards. I have even seen them created on large tri-folds, like kiddos use for school projects.
And a collage with images is far from the only way to create one. You can paint them, write it as a story or poem. You can mix words and images.
As far as how you organize it, again it’s entirely up to your creativity, however some suggestions are to create sections such as family/home/finances/romance etc. I’ve seen them created based on the chakra energy system, or the Chinese Bagua. And they can be made in any shape you desire. I’ve seen it created as a rainbow, a circle and a heart.
No matter how you choose to create it, the elements come together to create a visual representation of your dreams and goals for the year ahead. It's a powerful tool that serves as your guide, your call out to the Universe, your Treasure Map.
Best practice for creating a Treasure Map
Now, you might be wondering, "What do I put on a treasure map?” Well with a typical vision board, you might think long and hard about this in advance and make a plan before you even get to creating it. However, there are a couple of ‘rule’s with making a treasure map, which also make it stand out from the typical vision board.
Declutter, and clean your spaces: home, cars, office, mind, body and spirit leading up to the Treasure mapping days. Where there space taken up, there cannot be something else. Spring cleaning aligns with this time frame. Clear out the old cobwebs, move some furniture around to bring in a new flow of energy. If you feel led to do some time of body cleanse, such as a fast, by all means. It’s a great time to practice some meditations to clear out the mind cobwebs as well
No planning in advance. This is the most challenging part for many. What do you mean I can’t plan ahead?? How will I know what to put on it if I don’t plan it out in advance? It is meant to be a completely inspired adventure for the 3 days of the Aries New Moon. Sometimes the images or words you pick out those 3 days will surprise you, and not be what you expect, and those are the things that pop off the page into your reality. So try. Try your best to not plan it in advance. I admit that I sometimes give some consideration in advance such as, ‘I know I really want to highlight career this year’, for example. But I don’t plan out the details of images or phrases I will specifically look for. It is challenging not to think about it at all.
Use all new materials. The goal of this is that all the energy is fresh and new, just like this astrological new year. Now, back 26 years ago, magazines were only a few dollars a piece. But today they range from $10-$30, which is a lot of money, especially if you buy a few. So instead, to make it more affordable, find new (to you), magazines. Get with friends and see if you can trade some old magazines. Go to Goodwill and snag some. But perhaps you could purchase a few new things, like a new posterboard, maybe some new markers. If you can’t, you can’t and that is okay too.
Set aside time to embrace the process without distraction. I treat this time as sacred. It is a special yearly ritual I have. I light some candles, incense, and put on music that fits whatever vibe I’m in at the time. And don’t forget the snacks! Become really present in the process so that it may unfold organically. To get started, I find it’s easiest to simply start perusing the magazines and finding images and words/phrases that pop out at me. I cut things out, without concerning myself with if they are ‘right’ or not. I cut and put them to the side. After a bit, I start to look back through the images and see what feels really aligned. The map starts to unfold naturally. Eventually what is most important and aligned starts to unfold and take shape. Once I have found all the images that are right in front of me in magazines and such, I will go to my computer and round it all out with specific words and phrases that I can print and add.
Digital treasure maps work too! Don’t have paper, scissors, glue or a way to access magazine? No problem, digital maps are just as potent! These can be done as a secret Pinterest board, on canva, or whatever type of application you use digitally.
This process should be completed within the 3 days of the Aries New moon. Feel free to take breaks and come back to it. I suggest no gluing down, until you’re really certain you’re ready to do that. My friend Tracy, OG of Treasure mapping, suggests that you have a 2 week window to create it. Up until the Full moon. However, I’ve always been a stickler to stay within the 3 day window of the Aries new moon to have it be the most potent.
I encourage you to make it as specific as possible. Exact number amounts, the exact house you want. The more specific the better. And sometimes you end up with surprise images/words you weren’t expecting and may not even know what they specifically mean and that’s so fun! That’s the reason you wait until the Aries new moon. You never know what will jump out at you that needs to be on your map and then when it comes to fruition in ways you couldn’t even imagine it’s MAGIC!
Stay away from words that even with certain phrasing sound positive, but on their own aren’t so great. For example don’t put the word DEBT on your map anywhere. Not even in the phrase: “pay off all debt”. Instead reframe for what you do want. What do you get from being debt free? Freedom? Money for travel? More dollar signs in your bank account? One time I put “let that shit go” on my map and ended up so constipated I had to go to urgent care. Don’t put names of exe’s, or anything else that stand alone, you do not want.
Whether you choose to create a traditional collage or write down your desires, the important thing is to dream big and believe in the power of your intentions. As you clear out the old to make way for the new, remember to let go of limiting beliefs and small thinking. Embrace the energy of the Aries New Moon and dare to dream of a brighter future.
So, as we approach the Aries New Moon on APRIL 17, 2026 at 4:51 am PDT. I invite you to join me in creating your own Treasure Map. Whether you do it alone or with friends, let this be a fun and empowering experience. Dream big, set your intentions, and watch as the Universe aligns to bring your desires to life.
Good luck, and may your dreams soar high! And let me know how it goes!
THIS YEARS ARIES NEW MOON IS:
APRIL 17, 2026 @ 4:51 AM PDT/6:51 AM CDT/7:51 AM EDT
WAXING PERIOD ENDS MAY 1, 2026
