Full Cold Moon

Tonight is the Full Moon! The full moon of December is called the Cold Moon (for obvious reasons). Nature is resting now in preparation for the growing season, and so should I be. No matter how busy I feel, I can slow down, rest more, and pay better attention to the inner growing that is going on.

The turning point of solstice is past- the light born out of the darkness- but it's only the very beginning, not anything complete. I can feel my own tiny inner growing- a flicker of compassion, a butterfly of creativity, a sprout of wisdom.

Agenda today:
1. Journal queries
2. Update my altar
3. Practice at my theme of stillness
4. Mountain pose meditation
5. View the full moon
6. Christmas Novena, day 7

1. Journal queries:
Review the intentions I set 2 weeks ago, at the new moon.
Do these aims all still seem vital?
What are my next steps?

What topics of study are of interest to me now?
What are some current events or issues I wonder about?
What new skills might be useful?

From my journal: The last few months, I've been working to improve my self-disciple in all areas: Work, relationships, self-care, and so on. It's led me to study the Stoic philosophers, and I've been fascinated. I plan to continue going deeper with that study as well as other orderly topics.

2. Update my altar:
It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next couple of weeks. (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?

This month-

• a blue candle- for stillness, thought, and study
• a picture of a mountain- for stillness and meditation
• a piece of quartz- for the purity of winter
• pine cones- for potential growth and enlightenment
• my straw doll- for luck and protection

3. Practice at my theme of stillness:
My theme for the next 30 days is stillness. 

When I leave time in my daily routine for study, writing, meditation, and prayer, I honor the yin time of "being", which balances my yang times of action and doing. In the stillness, my ego disappears for a bit. I can then turn back to the outside world, seeing myself as a part of the whole rather than as an isolated individual.

I've collected some good books to study:

• "A Guide to the Good Life: the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy" by William B. Irvine
• "Work Simply" by Carson Tate
• "Eat Move Sleep" by Tom Rath

4. Mountain Pose Meditation:

Mountain Pose is the foundational pose for all standing yoga postures. It helps improve balance and inner calmness. It seems simple, but it’s important to learn how to do it correctly, so find out how here. Thanks also to a reader for this link: Mountain Pose.

The image of the mountain represents meditation, and the resting of body, mind and spirit. When practicing the Mountain Pose I use this visualization:

Picture my favorite mountain- it’s shape, it’s peaks, the rocks, the trees, the undergrowth.

View from the top of the South Sister.

Imagine that I am this mountain, rising from the surface of the earth; say, “I Am the Mountain.” Feel my splendid stability. I have reached the peak of upward movement, and in stillness I hold my place. 

See time passing- day turns into night, the moon rises over me, gradually dawn comes again. The seasons change- snow covers me, rain strikes me, then sun bakes me. My surface changes, but the essence of the mountain remains the same.

5. View the Full Moon:

The full moon always rises near to sunset. Since the sun sets early in the winter, it's my favorite season to try to view the moonrise; however, in my climate, the chances of a clear night are slim, and tonight is supposed to be cloudy. I will take a look anyway...

6. Christmas Novena, day 7:

From the Worldssps site:

In Communion with the Elderly, the sick and the disabled

“The mystery of human suffering overwhelms the sick person and poses disturbing new questions: Why is God allowing me to suffer? What purpose does it serve? How can God who is good permit something which is so evil? There are no easy answers to these questions asked by the burdened mind and heart. Certainly, no satisfying answer can be found without the light of faith.

Our Saviour knows well the many special needs of those who suffer. From the beginning of his public ministry, together with his preaching of the Good News of the Kingdom, “he went about doing good and healing”. When he sent forth his own disciples on their mission, he gave them a special power and clear instructions to follow his example.

And indeed, it was the suffering and death of Christ that displayed the works of God most eloquently. By his Paschal Mystery, Jesus won for us our salvation. Suffering and death, when accepted with love and offered with trust to God, become the key to eternal victory, the triumph of life over death, the triumph of life through death. “

(Address of St. John Paul II to the elderly, sick and disabled)