Full Wolf Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Tonight is the full moon. The full moon of January is called the Wolf Moon because of the hungry packs of wolves that used to roam for prey at this time of deep winter. 

I've been paying close attention to the cycle of the moon this month, starting with the new moon two weeks ago. We are now at the peak of the high-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the low-energy yin time of the waning moon.

But today it's time to CELEBRATE! The full moon is a time of fruitfulness, creative energy, and completion, and also strong (sometimes overwhelming) emotion - this month I feel joy, relief, and hope, along with grief, anger, and trepidation. I want to acknowledge and embrace the whole spectrum of my emotions. 

Today I will celebrate how far I've come and give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received.

Agenda for today:
1. Journal queries
2. Celebrate stillness

3. Life-long learning intentions

4. Mountain pose meditation

5. Full moon ceremony

1. Journal queries:

Photo by Alan Gillespie

The full moon shines a bright light on everything, and I might experience intuitive and creative breakthroughs. I might be shocked by the clarity of my insights. 

At this phase, I'll see the work I've been putting in begin to pay off, but also see where I need to work harder. I might see some ugliness - the full moon illuminates all the things I've left in the shadows, some heavy truths and some embarrassing mistakes.

Today I sit down with my journal, and my New Moon list of goals, and I seek the truth:

Do these aims all still seem vital? What are my deepest reasons for persuing these goals?

What beliefs, obstacles, doubts, or attachements are holding me back? Can I release them now? 

What opportunities for growth do I see today? What are my next steps?

Make two lists:

1. Write out the things I want to celebrate: My achievements, and events of the last two weeks that deserve commemoration.

2. Write out a few things I'd like to release this month: Habits, beliefs, obstacles, and attachments. 

Hiking Mt. Pisgah in January (uncompleted)

2. Celebrate stillness:

My theme for this Bitter Moon cycle continues to be stillness. I've been studying some good books, taking lots of time for contemplation, and working to understand myself better. Today I get to celebrate my accomplishments and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks 

What better way to celebrate stillness than to have a mini-retreat? Today I'm going to enjoy some Me Time: I've cleared my morning schedule so I can have an extra-long reading and writing session and a longer walk. Then a long, focussed block of painting my new landscape, followed by a nice nap and bath!

3. Life-long learning intention:

This month I've been writing intentions for my core values and testimonies, that capture the possibility of daily right action and will be useful in any situation that arises in daily life. I write my intentions in present tense, and I use this model: action + definition + deepest reason. 

One of my core values is life-long learning, and today I reaffirm that intention:

I intend to study and learn new information and skills every day for my whole life, with curiosity, passion, and tenacity, because learning gives me the gifts of greater effectiveness, better relationships, and continual growth towards enlightenment.

I've been diligently studying these good books this month:

• "Living Earth Devotional", by Clea Danaan
• "Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverly Daniel Tatum
• "Me and White Supremacy", by Layla F. Saad
• "Healthy Habits Suck", by Dayna Lee-Baggley
• "When Things Fall Apart", by Pema Chodrin
• "Contemporary Landscapes in Mixed Media", by Soraya French 

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. Full moon ceremony:

The full moon is the right time to celebrate wins and release losses. Since it's a time of high energy and emotion, I use this simple and quiet ceremony:

1. Take the two lists I wrote, along with a lit candle, outside after dusk and look for the moon in the northeastern sky. Plant my feet firmly on the ground, take some slow breaths, and soak up the light of the full moon.

2. Read out my list of things to celebrate: My achievements, and events of the last month that deserve commemoration, and thank the universe.

3. Read out my list of things I'd like to release this month: Habits, beliefs, obstacles, and attachments. Hold this list to the flame and watch the smoke and ash float away.