Full Squirrel Moon and Sukkot

Tonight is the full moon, my monthly time for action and release: I look again at the “seeds of intention” I planted 2 weeks ago at the new moon and decide on my next steps to take, I take those steps, then I release my expectations in order to clear space for new ideas and new intentions.

This full moon is called the Squirrel Moon, because the squirrels are busily gathering nuts for the winter, and all of the earth is gathering it’s forces inward. This is a time of transition, and a good time for me to get caught up on business, finish home tasks, and complete my outdoor projects before the cold of winter.

Tonight is also the start of Sukkot, a 7-day Jewish harvest festival. The word Sukkot means “Booths”; Jews all over the world build outdoor booths for Sukkot, like the simple huts that farmers in ancient Israel lived in during harvest time. The roof is always made of leafy branches, open to the sky so that you see the stars through the leaves. Each family decorates their hut, makes it comfortable, and eats at least two meals there; they invite guests, light candles, and say prayers of thanksgiving for the harvest.

Agenda for today:
1. Altar:
Each month at the full moon I put a motto or quote on my altar, to ponder. This month:

"Synergy is what happens when one plus one equals ten or a hundred or even a thousand!" - Steven Covey

I also add new candles, in colors that symbolize what I want to focus on. Today I add a silver candle, for synergy and change.

2. Journal:
Review the intentions I set 2 weeks ago, at the new moon. Review also the goals I set at the beginning of the year.

Do these aims all still seem vital? What are my next steps? How can I best bring some of my goals to completion?

3. Practice at my theme:

My theme this month is synergy, the area of creative change and right action. Synergy is the ability to seek unity, embrace teamwork, and work tirelessly towards a better end. It’s the eternally active primal force of creation-- no matter what the conditions are, they will change. 

I create synergy in my life when I make the effort to see clearly, take persistent right action, and stay open minded. Synergy will allow me to experience the people in my life as angels, and the places I live, work and play as paradise.

Am I open and responsive to helpful people and new ideas? Do I accept my life's challenges as creative fuel? Do I take the time to understand different points of view? What can I improve? 

My intentions:

• Seek to understand different opinions.
• Open to inspirations & adventures.
• Learn how to fascilitate group creativity.
• Analyze how I contribute to the committees, teams, and partnerships I am part of.

4. Take Action:
The full moon is a time to celebrate life, stay up late, see friends, exercise harder, and be more creative and outgoing. The crazy full moon energy builds and builds; it’s best to acknowledge it so it doesn’t throw me off balance. This surge of energy allows me to take action on intentions I set two weeks ago.

5. Build a sukkah:
We had fun piecing this hut together from wood scraps, branches, and African fabric.

6. Make luminarias:
We made paper lanterns with Hebrew words- very pretty. Instuctions are here.

7. Cook a stuffed pumpkin and eat in the sukkah:
It's traditional at Sukkot to eat fall harvest foods, especially anything stuffed, because these are a symbol of all the plenty we have been blessed with. 

The recipe is here.