New Bitter Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Tonight is the new moon. This last new moon of the Chinese year is called the Bitter Moon, because we are into the month of the bitterest cold.

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.

1. Retreat Day

2. Read "Perspective"

3. Choose a month theme

4. Set intentions

5. Ongo journal

6. Love cycle

January Garden

My winter garden is alive and well. It's feeding my ducks, and wild birds, as well as other insects and animals I can't see, and providing us with a handful of greens and beets.

My main focus in January is to plan the next season's garden, and take care of the nature that continues to live here. The best tip I've read in any permaculture blog is: Be consistent with 15-minutes a day, year round. We've had a streak of amazing, dry weather, so I've got no excuse not to take a short daily tour of my garden - I alternate the front and back gardens so I don't feel rushed. The consistency of the 15-minute daily visit keeps me connected to my garden even when I don't accomplish much.

Agenda:

1. Read "The Serviceberry"

2. Ongo journal

3. January harvest

4. Garden plans

5. January tasks

6. Prepare a worm bin

7. Days of Passion

Find My Direction

It's been a tough week, with a sick kid and a cold myself. I'm really ready to get some work done. But first, I need to find my direction.

 

1. Read "The Book of Doing and Being"

2. Beginner's mind meditation for creativity

3. Pre-K school plans

4. Projects for the week

Waning Crescent Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

This waning crescent moon is the final phase of the White Moon cycle. The next new moon, in five days, will be the Bitter Moon cycle. At the new moon I'll set my intentions for the month ahead.

But right now, at the waning crescent, it's time to evaluate and brainstorm, find purpose, and surrender. I'll open to curiosity and attention, contemplate what I might want in the 30 days ahead, and rest up for the move back into yang-action mode. These next few days are a chance to look back and look forward, and think about the big picture of my life. 

Agenda:

1. Ongo journal

2. Review my purpose

3. Review priorities

4. Monthly journal brainstorm

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate

Plow Monday

Plow Monday, the first Monday after Epiphany, is the traditional day in Europe for farmers to restart their farm work. Our garden isn't large, but, with the ducks, it's like a miniature farm. 

Normally, it's too wet at this time in the Pacific Northwest to do any digging, but many other tasks are possible, and it's good motivation for me to have this set date each year to start my “farm work”.

I got a lot of good permaculture information from Amy of the Ten-Acre Farm.  Amy says,

"January is one of my favorite times of year because I love the opportunity to start anew, make new agreements with myself about how I will spend time in the garden, and determine what kinds of experiments I will run to continue learning and improving."

Agenda for today & this week: 

1. Journal query

2. Creative Perspective plans

3. Walking script

4. Read "SoulSpace"

5. Clean and clear the living room

6. Tool blessing ceremony

7. Garden planing

8. Daily garden visits

9. Make Plough Pudding or Homity Pie

Sabbath for Healing

I've gotten a winter cold (and so has my grandson), and am feeling pretty sluggish. Today I will take it easy and drink lots of tea.

Agenda:

1. Read "Revolutionary Witchcraft"

2. Connect to my ancestors

3. Ongo journal