Third Quarter Moon of November

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. Evaluation House

4. Monthly journal brainstorm

5. 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!

I'm reading Week 5, called Your New State of Being. 

Day 31 - Yin and Yang: She is talking about dualities, but focuses on what she calls the Divine Feminine (yin). "... to be in yin is to be ready to receive the essence of our desires. ... It's consciously allowing things to flow to you. ... Yin means observing and having awareness of the actions of others so that when the opportunity comes, you're ready." She is mostly advocating for slowing down to take in the "lusciousness of each moment" and detach from the outcome: Not so much nose-to-the-grindstone as opening to the spaciousness of waiting.

Day 32 - Finding Your Soul Family: She suggests "Marie-Kondo-ing your friendships"; as in, notice which friends you can be completely honest with, let go of friends who don't support you, and develop new friendships with people who share your interests and who are "heart-minded souls". 

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. Self-care: Prepare for the weather, take slow breaths
2. Raise energy: Go outside and walk quickly for 5 minutes, down the block or around the yard
3. Name my blessings: Touch my heart, and feel the gratitude.
4. Awareness: Find a tree or a bird to watch, and settle in for 5 minutes of outdoor awareness.

3. 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.)

4. 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.

5. 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!