Full Hare Moon and April Fools Day

Carmella and Toffee

Tonight is the full moon; this one is called amanta kotantal or "Time for pounding camus" by the Kalapuya of my area, and the Hare Moon by others, because it's the month when rabbits leap and play and mate.

We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the shift to the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon. 

Agenda today:
1. Review, refine, and shift

2. Celebrate joy

3. Truth walk ceremony

1. Review, refine, and shift:

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. 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 access a shift of my spirit: I begin by reviewing my progress on the intentions I set at the new moon, asking "why?" and "why not?".

Then I settle into silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - by putting myself into a relaxed, trance-like state, and seeking a leading of the spirit with an open mind and heart, and perhaps writing a new intention.

Today I call on the Spirit of Light to guide me, bring me clarity and open my eyes. Where on my path am I now? What is the Truth that is coming into focus for me now? What is the shift I want to make?

Full moon journal: I set some good intentions this month which I'm not quite acting on; happiness, completion, and contentment are just out of grasp. Why? I'm tired, and sad, and defeated. The shift I want to make is towards hope and awareness.

Full moon intention: I intend to spend more time present-centered and aware (not distracted with phone games, planning, or angst), noticing the happy moments of play and love, and leaning in to the tiny steps needed to get myself outside to the garden or picking up a needle or a book - because being in the moment of my life is all I have."

2. Celebrate Joy:

My theme ​this month ​is Joy, contentment, serenity, and living with a wide-open, unbiased attitude of appreciation for life. A childlike quality of joy supports my spontaneous, innovative, creative spirit.

Most of us would say that we don't regularly feel joyful; it seems like such a big emotion. Joy comes in little splashes that come and go so fast we hardly recognize them. But when I invite those moments, and relish them -- like cuddling at nap time as the tightly-wound boy body beside me finally relaxes and sleeps, and I also relax and relish the warmth and serenity.

Today I remind myself of my intentions for the month, and then celebrate my accomplishments and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. Each month I choose a different way to celebrate the full moon, and today I am ready to celebrate joy in these ways:

1. Make bird nests of clay and straw
2. Play April Fools tricks on Grandpa
3. Plant sunflowers

3. April Fools tricks to try:

• Upside-Down Cup Trick: Fill a cup with water, then slide a piece of cardboard on top before flipping it upside down on the counter. Slowly slide the cardboard out so the cup stays upside down without spilling... until an unsuspecting grandpa sees it and gets curious enough to try to lift it. When they do, water will splash everywhere!


• The Money Chaser: Tape a long length of fishing line to a $5 bill, then have your child hide out of sight while holding on to the end of the string. Place the bill in the middle of the floor where your partner will see it, and when they lean down to pick it up, have your child yank the line so it slips out of reach.

• Shoes don't fit: Fill all grandpa's shoes with newspaper!

4. Truth walk ceremony:

When I receive a full moon truth, I like to mark it with a simple ceremony, preferably under the light of the full moon: