New Budding Moon and Maha Shivratri

Tonight is the new moon; the Chinese call the second new moon the Budding Moon. As we cycle nearer to spring, I can feel my energy growing and swelling like the buds on the trees! The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, prepare, and set intentions.

Shiva, Crafts Museum, New Delhi

Tonight is also Maha Shivratri, a Hindu festival which falls each year on the night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (in February or March). The Sanskrit word ratri means night, and maha means great, so Maha Shivratri is the night to honor the great Shiva, for his dance of primordial creation, preservation, and destruction.

Many Hindus keep a fast all day, make offerings of flowers and incense, and chant to Shiva. They vigil all night, sing songs, and dance to the rhythm of the drums.

Agenda Today:

1. Retreat Day

2. Mantra

3. Choose a month theme 

4. Choose goals and set intentions

5.  New moon altar and meditation

6. Make Thandai

1. Retreat Day:

If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. I had a peaceful retreat day yesterday. (Today is going to be very social!)

2. Mantra:

Today I chant the Panchakshara mantra, which means "five letters" in Sanskrit, and refers to the five letters Na, Ma, Si, Va, and Ya:
Om (the primordial sound)
Namah (I honor)
Shivaya (the source of creation)

Hear the chant here.

This is a prayer to Shiva, who is the universal consciousness. Shiva is life potential and the ground out of which everything grows; Shiva is the space from where everything has come, where everything is sustained, and where everything eventually dissolves. When I meditate on Shiva in this way (rather than as a blue-faced God-being) I get closer to the truth of the Hindu pantheon.

2. Choose a month theme:

At the new moon I choose a new theme to give attention to. My theme this next 30 days is strength and resilience. 

Picture an unexpected storm; thunder shakes the earth and heavy spring rain falls- everything and everyone are surprised into creative action, and great changes are set in motion.

Shocks and sudden unforeseen problems cycle through my life like stormy weather. This is a difficult quality for me, very yang. The sudden distress makes me uncomfortable, but if I pause and lean in to the discomfort I'll see that it's an invigorating place to be. I'll see that it's not about ME.

Just as I need my home to be in good repair to weather a storm, I need to be strong myself. When I am physically and mentally strong, I thrive on moving forward without the baggage of fears and grudges. Strength goals might have to do with improving my vitality, my strength of mind and resilience, courage to act on a new idea, making lifestyle changes, or repairing and strengthening my physical infrastructure.

My strength and resilience practices this month:

• Making time to be outside every day! Work in my garden.
• Take neighborhood walks, for exercise and connection.
• Explore flexible thinking.
• Write about Discernment and Purpose

4. Choose goals and set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for the next 30-days, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I've written just two intentions, the ones I might act on today, and will write more later.

 

I intend to get to know my neighbors better, the birds, trees, and other beings that live in this neighborhood, because knowing their names, habits, and languages will create the mindfulness and belonging I long for, and because building a strong rootedness to Creation is how I will fuel sustainable climate justice work.

I intend to begin to discern a calling to teach nature arts and stewardship to children (including my grandsons), and look for ways forward, because the urge outweighs my caution, my age, and my lack of training, but discernment will bring me to authority.

5. New moon altar and meditation:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next 30 days or so. (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? 

From last month I'm keeping:

• my straw doll - for luck and protection
• a dragonfly - for change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization

and today I added:

• a spring green candle - for strength, vitality, and inner growth
• a dragon - for strength and good luck
• garden seeds - for the hope of spring

Shivratri is the darkest night of the month; it's an opportunity to give myself the experience of the vast emptiness that is the source of all creation. Tonight I will light a small white candle on my altar. I will center,  give attention to each of my intentions, picture each one accomplished, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life. And I will ask Shiva to strip away my striving for comfort and safety, so that I can be open to the infinite possibilities.

6. Make Thandai:

Some Hindus observe a strict fast today, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk. 

This famous flavored milk is traditionally prepared today to drink, and as an offering to Shiva. The recipe is here.