New Moon Intentions

1. My intentions are always high. I don't always make good on them. But every time around, I evolve a little more.

2. I had intentions of spending this evening connecting with my highest self and honoring the new moon cycle with ritual. Instead I could only manage to connect with a movie on Netflix and a bowl of freshly made [our apple trees are ridiculously abundant this year] applesauce. With almond butter.

3. I had intentions of writing a really awesome blog post about my New Moon intentions. I had intentions of going to bed early and getting 8 hours of sleep.

4. Do you see that, over there? The way the fog drifts into our little valley with the setting sun. Do you see the multitude of grays and blacks as the earth turns in the fading light? My children's delighted screams ring through the air, drowning out the song of the winter wren. I am sitting alone, blessedly, taking a still moment to reconnect with myself. The cool evening air and the beauty of it all bring me back to center.

5. I find that my new moon intentions follow a similar pattern: connect with my root [spirit]; release myself from my own expectations; live in the moment; make decisions that nourish.

6. I am in constant awe of the messages that flow through me, daily, when I am open to perceive. When I can open my mind up to every detail and see its place in the whole, blessed picture. Small lessons, personal revelations, mistakes made and learned from. How glorious that our experience can be a constant road of evolution and enlightenment. I feel gratitude.

7. I intend to be sane. I intend to be relaxed. I intend to be playful. I intend to let go. I intent to be patient, to be gentle. I intend to be full of passion and creativity. I intend to nourish myself so that I might be the greatest person I am capable of [I intend to inspire others to greatness].

8. I intend to keep singing and dancing and painting leaves and stringing beads and keeping sight of what's important. I intend to gently reject the feeling that there is more to do than I'm capable of.

9. I am very, very capable.

10. I intend to meditate and light a candle before I go to bed, so that all ritual is not lost.

11. I intend to write more blog posts.

12. I intend to see my mistakes as the blessings they are and to move forward, ever towards the light.

13. I intend to go to bed early. Tomorrow.

*Blessings*

Having Faith

It had always been my dream to move back home and live in the beauty of nature, surrounded by family and community.

I feel incredibly blessed to say that I'm living my dream.

[Gratitude.]

On Sunday I hosted my second Women's Circle, a space for women to come together and connect with each other, with our feminine spirits, and with the cycles of nature. It is a space for sharing, supporting, releasing, and inviting in. It is a space filled with the laughter of our children. It is a sacred space.

This circle took place during a third quarter moon, which is a good time for clarification. I sat around with five beautiful spirits as we released energy and emotions that no longer serve us. Passing around a bundle of sticks, we released our negative, stagnant, and unhelpful energy into them.

After a meal shared all together, the children marched us [dancing and singing] down to the bridge. The bundle of sticks was tossed into the river, where it flowed gently downstream.

Clarity. The golden green of sunshine on leaves. Dancing light at the water's edge. Spirits free of burdens held. Release.

During the circle, we frequently found ourselves talking about faith. Faith in the universe. Faith in our journey. Faith that everything is going to be alright.

Through many of my life experiences, I have learned that there is nothing more important than having faith that everything will be [and is] as it should be. Listening to intuition and staying open to the many lessons and teachers sent our way will always keep us on the right path. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

This time of year, my faith is renewed every time I watch a seed sprout and grow into a beautiful plant that feeds me and my family. It does take faith to believe that such a tiny seed will succeed and flourish, and sometimes I find myself worrying that it won't. The other day I was worrying about something in my garden [the delinquency with which my corn is sprouting] and this thought came to me: what if every time we found ourselves worrying about something, we turned that worry into faith that everything will be alright? Worry is focus on a negative outcome; faith is focus on a positive outcome. What would your life be like if you replaced worry with faith?

I choose to live in the world of faith.

Many blessings, sweet friends.

A New Moon Ritual and Prioritizing My Joy

Saturday was the new moon. Here we are, back at the beginning [or at least, another beginning].

I love marking time by the moon. Her gentle rhythm is comforting and supportive. And as a Capricorn, I like the organization she brings to my life. For me, the new moon is a time to think about projects I want to accomplish, intentions I want to set. Celebrating the new moon with a simple ritual focuses my energy and connects me to Spirit. This is how I celebrate:

Before I begin my ceremony, I take a moment to reflect on what I want to manifest in my life. I think about my health, my creative endeavors, my relationships, my home and garden, my spirit. I write down all my intentions in a little book that lives on my altar. When I first started doing this, I set way too many intentions. It was like an impossibly long to-do list; maybe appropriate for a whole year, but definitely not a month. Since then, I've learned to limit myself to a couple of intentions for each aspect of my life.

Usually I wait for everyone to be in bed, when the house is dark and quiet [and all mine!] I light candles on my altar and smudge myself with sage to clear the energy. I then say a little prayer to the four directions [facing each direction as I go, and smudging the direction with a feather wand]:
"I send my love out the the East and the air that is my inspiration. Thank you spirits of the East for being with me tonight.
I send my love out to the South and the fire that is my passion. Thank you spirits of the South for being with me tonight.
I send my love out to the West and the water that sustains our life. Thank you spirits of the West for being with me tonight.
I send my love out to the North and the Earth who is our mother. Thank you spirits of the North for being with me tonight."

I continue on with a prayer that is my version of a traditional Navajo prayer:
"Love above me, love below me.
Love in front of me, love behind me.
Love on my left, love on my right, love in my center.
I walk a path of love."

I then ground myself with my daily meditation. And so cleansed, grounded, and surrounded by Spirit, I set my intentions. Reading each one aloud, I breathe the intention into my body, hold it in my womb space for a moment [source of creation], and then release it out into the universe.

When I have finished, I end my ceremony by releasing the spirits I have called to me. Facing each direction, I say, "Spirits of the East [South, West, North], thank you for being with me tonight. Stay if you please, go if you must, I love you and I thank you."

And then I go to bed.

There are many ways to celebrate the new moon. I encourage you to find a ritual or ceremony that resonates with you. Connect with yourself and the moon.

I do try to hold my ceremony on the actual new moon, but if I'm off by a day or so, I don't sweat it. If you missed out on Saturday or haven't yet set any intentions, it's not too late to do so.

Of the intentions I set this new moon, there is one I see as the big mama intention. It is prioritizing my joy. Making my joy a priority. This is an idea that I got from [I'm sure you know what I'm going to say by now...] Wild Feminine by Tami Lynn Kent. It seems so simple and obvious, yet how often do we really put our joy above everything else? It's so easy to get caught up in all the obligations of our lives that we forget what life is really about: enjoyment. Living in joy. I find that even when I'm doing the things I love, I'm often on automatic and not truly enjoying them.

This is my joy

Living in joy is about living with awareness. Living with awareness is about connection to Spirit. For me, that is what life is about.

Playing in skirts on a sunny day is what life is about.

So my focus this time around is on manifesting my joy. Taking time to stop and feel joyous about life. Making sure I am doing what makes me happy.

I hope you do the same.

Anthony brings me joy, and so does our new greenhouse!

*Blessings*

The Dark Moon in Aries and My Daily Meditation

We are ending a cycle. The moon is now in her dark phase, and apparently it is a potent one. A friend sent me this article, and it struck such a deep chord with me, I must share it with you. [All quotations in this post come from this article.]

"A great use of the energy this week is to clear out old energy/patterns/toxicity/karmic imprints around the Masculine." If you have read this or this post, you will know this is exactly what I have been working on. Our masculine energy is the energy that gets things done, that acts, that produces. When our feminine and masculine energies are out of balance, the masculine can make us rigid, strict task-masters. We get so caught up in doing that we forget to just be. I know that I come from very strong masculine energy, and I must be constantly aware to balance it with my feminine energy. Masculine energy that is balanced with the feminine is strong but playful; it gets things done with flexibility.

"If we do the clearing work available to us this week we can start a new chapter with this New Moon in Taurus in regards to how we embrace and embody the feminine. It's all a balance - and part of the Divine Feminine activation this year requires rehabilitation/restructuring of how the Divine Masculine expresses itself. They are connected, after all."

I have a daily meditation that I have been meaning to share with you for awhile. I use it to balance my feminine and masculine energies, to clear and release and to set intention for the day. It is a variation from a meditation in Wild Feminine by Tami Lynn Kent, a book I can't recommend highly enough.

I begin by visualizing my womb area, or what Tami calls the pelvic bowl. I visualize myself sitting on the earth, with a warm light emanating from my womb down into the earth. I hold this visualization for several breaths. I then envision myself walking around my pelvic bowl. The goal is to sweep out old energy, to let it flow down and out into the earth. Sometimes I see myself burning sage as I walk; sometimes I am dancing like Oya the wind goddess; sometimes I am holding a shell and sprinkling water to wash myself clean. Whatever I see, I start at the front of my pelvis [pubic bone] and head towards my left hip, then back to my tail bone, to my right hip, and back up front [all on the inside, of course.]

Next I visualize my ovaries. According to Tami, our ovaries represent our creative fire. The left ovary houses feminine energy, the right ovary the masculine. I start first with my feminine left ovary [located below and to the left of the belly button]. For three to five breaths, I visualize my ovary shining like a warm light, getting stronger and brighter with each breath. I then move to my right ovary and repeat the visualization. I then see my womb, down in between my ovaries. I see myself sitting in my womb in meditation [it is my spirit self, I believe]. I take three to five more breaths and envision my whole pelvic bowl filling with warm light. This is the time when I set an intention for the day.

I then walk once more around my pelvic bowl, blessing myself and recognizing this divine space within. Often I am dancing. Sometimes I see grass growing and flowers blooming. Always I am joyous.

I hope you take the time to do this visualization, every day or any day. If this one doesn't speak to you, create one that does. Focus on releasing and balancing.

Together, let's spend this week clearing out our energy. Let's release our toxic patterns, our habits that no longer support us. "Take time during this Dark Moon to honor the shadows, endings, death and the Unknown."

Together let's find the strength to let go of the old. Let us prepare to embrace new energy, new direction, new inspiration. Let us embrace our feminine energy, using it to transform and balance the masculine.

[An extraordinary thing just happened. I am sitting here writing; it is night. I hear a fluttering sound outside and look to see some little creature flinging itself against the window, trying to reach the light. I go outside and find a small, dark bird flying again and again at the window. I catch it and hold it in my hand. It calms down, but I feel its little heart beating so quickly. I try to get it to fly away into the night, but she is so attracted to the light on the other side of the window. I catch her again, standing on the cold, wet deck in my bare feet, this little bird nestled in my hand. Eventually I get cold and leave her perched on the window sill. I'm not sure what else to do, but at least she isn't flinging herself against the glass any more. Little bird has lost her way. Or has she? What message is she bringing me?]

She brings blessings...

*Gratitude*

4th Quarter Moon

Today the moon entered her fourth quarter. I am glad. It has been a busy cycle, and I'm ready for rest and restoration (read more about how I follow the moon and her cycle here.) I associate the moon's fourth quarter with the North, with inner reflection, with exquisite self care [a term I learned from a very lovely woman], with preparation to start a new cycle, refreshed and energized.

I don't feel particularly energized right now.

It has been a busy week, and I have been a little bit on edge.

It started on Monday when Jai came home from school with an ear infection [cured with a little garlic oil]. He took a long nap, so that night he stayed up later and I went to bed with him [which means no evening mama time. Evening is my sacred time to do whatever I want, and I cherish it]. But it was all good, my baby was sick and I wanted to take care of him.

The next day the kids and I all woke up with colds. Didn't we just get over the last one??? I must say, having a child in school has really thrown me for a loop. I never used to get sick. Ever. And since Jai started school in the fall, I have been sick more times than I can even remember. My oh my.

So anyway, we have colds. Ick. And that night, after I spend 45 minutes getting Yasmina to fall asleep, she wakes up ten minutes later. Like AWAKE. I spend an hour trying to get her back to sleep. So that night, no sacred mama time.

The next night, I put Yasmina to bed. She wakes up ten minutes later, AWAKE. I want to pull my hair out, but thankfully Anthony was home to keep me sane. And even though I was feeling grumpy and frustrated, it's really impossible to stay upset at Mina. She's so dang cute. Especially when it's late and she should be sleeping, she really puts on a show.

So maybe it was because I went three nights in a row with no sacred mama time, or maybe the planets were not aligned in my favor, or maybe I just have some crazy energy seeking release, but the next day was a rough one for me. I was irritable and had all this pent up frustration inside. I ate cheap Easter chocolate when i really didn't want to. I got upset at Anthony because he's not building our greenhouse "fast enough" [he's been working his butt off]. It was cold and rainy. I felt crappy.

[Then I pushed through the crappiness and wrestled with the kids on the bed. I drank some tea. And then I felt much better.]

I think part of my problem is the springtime energy coursing through my veins. The warmer temperatures, the sunshine, the growing expanding golden green energy makes me want to work in the garden all day, every day. I want to dig and plant and plant some more. However, I have two small children. They are amazing gardeners already, but they can only focus for so long. [And especially for Mina, that's not very long]. So there's all this gardening I'm aching to do, but I just can't. And I'm trying really really hard to feel joy and satisfaction at what we do get done [which is impressive, all things considered], but sometimes it is a struggle.

So this week with my fourth quarter moon, I am focusing on slowing down. On enjoying the process. On releasing excess [negative, frustrated, crappy] energy. On letting go of expectations. As Anthony reminded me the other morning, it's not about what happens to you, it's about how you deal with it. I choose to deal with it [children, garden, husband] with humor, flexibility, and love. [And yes, I'm going to write that on my hand so I don't forget....humor flexibility and love. humor flexibility and love.]

As long as Mina stays asleep...

*blessings*

Full Moon in Libra 2012

The moon will be full tomorrow [Friday]. I got a preview tonight, when I went outside to close up the chicken coop. The almost-full moon had risen up behind the dark silhouettes of fir trees, illuminating a sky finally clear after a day of rain. I had just put Yasmina down to sleep, and I was so tired I had almost fallen asleep with her.

Now, with the moon shining her love down on me, I soaked that love right up. I visualized my pelvic bowl filling up with her energy. With my inhalations, I saw the glowing moonlight warm up the left [feminine] side of my pelvis, and with my exhalations, the energy moved over to the right [masculine] side and back out into the cool night air. I continued this visualization for a couple of minutes. When I was done, I felt renewed and energized, and the moon and I danced for a minute. [If you are interested in learning more about connecting with your pelvic bowl, please check out Wild Feminine by Tami Lynn Kent.]

I always try to soak up the energy of the full moon. It nourishes me. Today or tomorrow or the next day, go outside and make sure you have a minute [or more] with the moon. 

The full moon is an excellent time to review the intentions you set on the new moon [next cycle I will share my own new moon ritual]. Check in to see if you are putting your energy where you desire it. Allowing the cycle of the moon to guide my rhythm keeps me focused and helps me accomplish what is really important to me.

One of my intentions at the new moon was to expand our chicken flock.

We now have nine little chicks living in our bathroom

I also like to channel the full moon energy to fuel my creativity. The full moon is known for making people do crazy things. I like to be crazy creative [like the time I decided to cut layers into my hair]. Grab your paper and your paints or your knitting needles or your ukelele or your favorite ingredients from the fridge and let your soul create.

Dancing naked under the moon is also nice.

*Blessings*

Springtime Snow on a New Moon

Today I welcome in the new moon in Aries. According to my We'Moon 2012, it's a time to access our inner fires [creativity] and to re-center ourselves. "It's time to do what truly makes us feel alive..."
A few days ago we celebrated the Spring Equinox. The next day we got snowed in [and spent way too much time indoors]. Today we busted out of the house and felt truly alive...

During the spring weather in February, we planted our first peas. They have been courageous little peas, surviving at least three good snowfalls. Here Jai, Mina and Little Buddha help rescue them from their chilly blanket.

And then we took to the hills.

After all the laughing and sledding [and carrying heavy babies up hills], we were ready to come inside for something delicious. We made grain-free shortbread, and oh it was delicious indeed [we didn't have any almond flour, so we just ground up some almonds in the food processor. Because of that, I think, our shortbread turned out kind of crumbly, but still very tasty.] It's a great recipe to make with children, because it's easy, quick, very hands-on, and made with wholesome and simple ingredients.

The kids are now asleep [happy and full], and it's mama time. In honor of myself and the moon, I'm going to treat myself to a hot bath [with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil.] While I'm in there, I like to meditate on my intentions for this new lunar cycle [focus on expanding flock of chickens and acquiring ducks, start monthly women's circle, order garden seeds, craft with friends, finish my art journal documenting Mina's first year of life...] I love following the cycle of the moon because she keeps me living in a natural, restorative, and gentle rhythm. If you would like to read more about how I'm guided by the moon, check out this post.
In the meantime, happy New Moon. Do something loving for yourself. Light a candle. Set some intentions.
*Blessings*

Living My Rhythm [with Spirit]

I begin in the East.

The sun rises, our rooster crows. As the sun follows his path across the sky, I am guided through my day.

The moon rises. I travel with her on her cycles of waxing and waning. As we move through the month together,  I create and release in time with her song.

The earth circles 'round, spinning out her infinite cosmic dance with the sun. As she circles, the seasons slowly change. Their wisdom teaches me nourishment and guides me in what I do.

Life, and everything that is a part of life, is cyclical. The seasons, the phases of the moon, the rhythm of women's bodies all move gently like the infinite inhalation and exhalation of the Goddess' breath. Everything is a cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth, of creation and retreat. These cycles guide my life in a natural rhythm. Connecting with these natural cycles connects me with Spirit.

When the moon is new, I turn to the East, to new beginnings. To setting my intentions for the coming cycle, for imagining my creations.

When half of the moon's face is visible in the sky, I turn to the South. This is my most active phase, with the energy and fire of summer. I am gestating my creations, building, constructing, giving them form.

The full moon blesses me with her energy as I turn to the West. To clarify, to release. During the first half of the moon's cycle, I'm gathering energy to feed my creations. When we travel into the waning phases, I release that energy, birthing my creations out into the world.

As the moon dwindles down for her time of rest, I do the same. I turn to the North. I retreat for rejuvenation, tapping into my inner wisdom for guidance on replenishing myself. I am open and listening to my Wise Woman. I am enveloped in gratitude for all that has been.

And then I turn to the East to begin anew.