New Chrysanthemum Moon

Endurance- acrylic and collage on canvas.

Tonight is the night of the new moon. The Chinese call this ninth new moon the Chrysanthemum Moon. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and endurance because of its ability to withstand colder temperatures. According to Chinese scholars, it shows the virtues of one who can endure temptations and maintain grace.

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, set intentions, and initiate something new.

Agenda for today:

1. Retreat Day

2. Read "How to Manifest"

3. Choose a month theme

4. Set intentions

5. New moon altar and meditation

6. Start an abundance journal

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. 

My Wake Up retreat began yesterday, and today I'll continue to give attention to being aware of my creative energy.

2. Read "How to Manifest":

I'm reading a book called "How to Manifest", by Laura Chung; it's a 40 day program to "Make Your Dreams a Reality". I have one big dream that I'm making slow progress on, and this book (no matter that I'm cynical) has successfully kicked me into action!

I've finally reached the last chapter The fourth part of the book (Week 5), which is called Your New State of Being. 

Day 29 - Becoming Whole: "Successful manifestations come from a place of wholeness -- health, wealth, abundance, and joy." The author makes a quick review of the steps we took in the earlier weeks to get to a place of wholeness. She reminds us that we can't manifest anything from a place of lack. And how do you feel whole before you have manifested your desires? "Through joy, and the act of radiating that feeling out and into the world. ... The energy of joy activates our feeling of well-being, and remember, well-being is wholeness."

She also lines out a very elaborate Kundalini "Meditation for Creating Your Future"; from it I will borrow the mantra practice - honing in on one word that encapsulates my desire, and repeating it.

3. Choose a month theme:

My theme for the next 30 days is abundance: Abundance is like a gentle wind of blessings blowing with determination into my life. The wind is all the fortunate influences that shape my life - my friends, family, society, and outside forces and situations. Abundance blows steadily, and over time will influence and shape me. I need to maintain integrity and awareness to avoid being swayed or blown in the wrong direction, but I achieve the greatest success by yielding to prospects brought on the wind. 

My abundance goals 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, what I value in my life, and how I define success; 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 abundance practices this month are:

1. Morning Abundance Journal: Answer 5 queries (see below).

2. Mid-day Blessing Walk: Acknowledge my blessings, visualize the blessings I want today, set intentions for service, and pray.

3. Creativity Challenge: Creativity supports abundance. Each day pick one thing to make with my hands with care - a pot of soup, a painting, a letter, a stitched heart.

4. Set intentions:

A Light in the Forest - Alan Gillespie

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for the next 30 days, and today it's time to narrow it down 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 invite abundance into my life, and into the world, by cultivating an abundance consciousness; that is, I will acknowledge the blessings I have already, find a multitude of ways to express my gratitude, get clear about what blessings I want to see for the world, and challenge myself to help to create them, because if I can truly believe that there’s enough for everybody, I will find ways to make it so. 

I intend to manifest my dream of unity with the Nature, one step at a time (for myself and also for others), by creating opportunities to worship with the Earth, learn about Nature's needs, witness, advocate, and take action, because Nature needs us to remember that the Earth and every part of Creation is a living, spiritual being, and behave in accordance.

5. New moon altar:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next four 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? I will keep from last month:

• a God's eye - to watch over us
• dried corn - for the harvest
• my straw doll- for luck and protection

I added:

• a purple candle - for abundance and gratitude
• pine cones - for unity with the forests

6. Start an abundance journal:

To attract abundance into my life (and into the world), I need an abundance consciousness: That is, I need to be aware of the abundance already in my life, connect with it, feel grateful for it, and be ready to accept more of it. 

Abundance consciousness opens my mind; I see my prospects clearly and welcome obstacles as opportunities. It helps me to operate at a higher-level: When I believe there’s enough for everybody, I will take it as a challenge to figure out how to make it so; I will work harder to create a bright future for myself, my family, and my world.

As I often do this time of year, I started an Abundance Journal practice that I will continue through the month. I started with a few minutes of quiet meditation to expand my awareness of what I want for myself and for others in my life. “Expansion is the great friend of abundance. It brings in the light, opening up new possibilities. In a relaxed, open state, your awareness sees farther, and life isn’t so confined.” Deepak Chopra

Then I wrote very short, simple answers to these queries:

1. What do I want today, for myself and for others?
2. What step can I take today towards abundance? 
3. How can I express my gratitude today to people, the earth, and to God?
4. What one thing could I create today, to expand abundance in the world?

Later I answer: 

5. What filled me with light today? 

My answers always surprise me, and set me on a course for abundance.