Blue Moon

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 is the second full moon in July, often called a Blue Moon. Actually the original definition of a blue moon is a fourth full moon in one season, and we won't have a blue moon this year by that definition. I'm going with the other definition- the second full moon in a month- because I don't have any better name for this moon. Both are correct, because it's folklore, and folklore is fluid.

So how often is 'once in a blue moon'? By the newer definition a blue moon happens every 2 or 3 years. By the older seasonal definition, it's the same odds. By a much older definition though, before the folklore of seasonal blue moons developed, saying 'once in a blue moon', was like saying 'when cows fly', meaning never!

Agenda for today:

1. Altar:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for August. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke?

Today I add-

• ears of dried corn for the plentiful harvest.
• a purple candle, for abundance.

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

"What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action." 

-Meister Eckhart

2. Journal:

What opportunities do I feel on the wind this month? 
How can I be open to them?

Review the intentions I set 2 weeks ago, at the new moon.Do these aims all still seem vital?What are my next steps?How can I find the passion to be persistent?


3. Practice at my theme:
My theme this month is abundance- the profusion of blessings and fortunate influences that grace and shape my life- friends, family, society, and outside forces and situations. I achieve the greatest success by yielding to prospects brought on the wind of abundance.

Goals for this area might be to become more open and accepting of opportunities and alternative ways to proceed, to find ways to draw in more cash and other less tangible kinds of wealth, to become clearer about my finances and what I value in my life, to be more generous and giving of my time and resources, or to better show thankfulness for the flow of blessings and prosperity in my life.

My intentions:

• Listen (better) to the wisdom of others.
• Seek new ways to find students.
• Finish my committee work in a timely manner.
• Harvest the fruits of my garden.
• Enjoy the leisure of summer when I get the chance.

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.