Third Quarter Moon of October

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Today is the Third Quarter Moon: This waning moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work and self-care.

Agenda today:

1. Read "How to Manifest"

2. Renewal plan

3. Generosity plan

4. Evaluation House

5. Monthly journal brainstorm

6. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. 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!

The fourth part of the book (Week 4) is about The Energetic Shift. The author explains that everything is energy; we can learn how to optimize the energy that moves our lives and motivates our actions, for the purpose of manifestation. This week is filled with techniques to make that shift. We will work on discerning when to take action, and trusting our instincts.

Day 25 - Scripting: This is a technique where you write a new story about your life based on how you want it to be. You write from the future, in present tense, and focus on how you will feel when your dream is manifested. "Our stories elicit emotions that motivate our behavior. ... scripting can help us create a vision of what the future could be. ... Write down your life as if it's a powerful spell. You are conjuring it." She suggests that you start small, with statements that you can believe.

Day 26 - Affirmations: These are another way to conjure a new reality, and communicate with your subconscious mind. (Much of what she says in this section my cynical nature cannot handle, and the very idea of saying untrue things to myself makes me cringe. I prefer setting intentions.)

Day 27 - Emotions: Energy in motion: "We manifest from our feelings, our state of being. ... you must align your thoughts, beliefs, and feelings to your desire. ... Use your imagination to access the feelings that will bring you closer to your manifestation."  She explains that emotions are meant to move through us and be experienced, but then we need to channel them into action rather than cling to the feeling. I like this idea, because it means the frustration I feel when others don't respond the way I want them to can be channeled into positive action for change.

Day 28 - Shifting Your Reality: This chapter is about living in the Now, because it's the only time that is real. We need clocks to help us organize our lives, but we should not become trapped  in an illusion of time; we can't live in the past or the future, but only in the present. 

This is where the shift comes in: "If you want to experience a 'future' you, someone who has already manifested the thing you are calling in, feel it now. Be happy now. Live in joy now." You can find a way to merge your present reality with this imagined version of you by tuning in to that person's energy; by asking, what does that version of me look like and feel like?

Einstein's unified field theory explains that everything is tied together on the molecular level. "To extend this to our perception of time: past, present, and future are not discrete entities. ... All possibilities and realities exist in this timeline. Everything that is real or imagined exists. Shift your focus and energy to it and believe it's possible. Then give yourself gratitude for already possessing the thing you desire."     

2. Renewal plan:

I try to renew all four dimensions of my life (body, mind, heart, and spirit), as Stephen Covey taught: I spend about an hour each day on a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual regeneration activities, plus work to improve my social skills and relationships. Today's waning half moon is my opportunity to review how I'm doing, and make note of new ideas for the month ahead.

My plan: I want to elevate my renewal this month with a new awareness practice that encompasses my whole self - body, mind, spirit, heart. I'm calling it my Renewal Dance. Its short and easy-

1. Prepare for the weather, take slow breaths, touch my heart.
2. Do 5 minutes of Chi gong to warm up.
3. Go outside and walk quickly for 5 minutes, down the block or around the yard, and quote my mission statement.
4. Find a tree or a bird to watch, and settle in for 5 minutes of outdoor awareness.

3. Generosity Plan:

Generosity is freely sharing what I have - my money, help, or time - without expectation of reward or return. A generous life involves putting effort into looking after people and becoming actively involved with my community.

Generosity begins with my heart. It requires extravagant love and alertness to other’s needs, being open-minded and giving people the benefit of the doubt, granting my attention and my life force. It also requires courage; I want to step outside my comfort zone and be generous to everyone. I need to push past my feelings of reluctance and fear to the place where generosity is spontaneous and fun.

Ed Bacon says, “Generosity comes from knowing that love is not a zero-sum game. The energy of love, of approaching life from your loving self, knows no limits. Whenever someone loves, more love is generated. Life flows. Imaginative ideas multiply. Cooperation and goodwill spread. Creativity-limiting fear diminishes.”

I'm not a naturally generous person, so every once in a while I like to ask myself: 

Who needs more of my attention and love? With whom could I be more open-minded, and give them the benefit of the doubt? 

What are some bigger steps I could take someday to help my community and my world?

4. Evaluation House:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the Lotus Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been Balance. I reviewed the intentions I set at the new moon and drew a house with 2 rooms: 

• A room for celebration of all I have accomplished already this month.
• A room for discerning what to do with the unfinished parts (Some of these I will finish in the next couple days, some I will save for next month, and some I will release because they have become irrelevant or didn't go as planned.)

5. Monthly journal brainstorm:

At the new moon (next week) I will transition from one focus to another, and a whole new field of opportunity. This week I'll take time to write down my goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next 30-days.

6. Surrender, rest, recuperate: 

This next few days is a time to be empty; the time for striving is past. As the moon’s light fades into darkness I get to relax and surrender to the universe. 

Some things will always be out of my control. As the moon's appearance dwindles, I let go of useless beliefs, unreasonable expectations, grudges, defensiveness, projects that don't fit into my life, and anything else that isn't working for me. I turn these all over to the Divine and give thanks, my way of opening to receive new intentions in the new month.

Then I give myself permission to rest!