Full Wolf Moon and Tu B'Shevat

Tonight is the full moon. The full moon of January is called the Wolf Moon because of the hungry packs of wolves that used to roam for prey at this time of deep winter.

Tonight is also Tu B’Shevat (too b’sch VAHT), the Jewish New Year for Trees. It begins at sunset on the evening of the full moon of late January or early February. This is the season in Israel when the earliest-blooming trees begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. In contemporary Israel it’s celebrated with tree planting ceremonies and a focus on ecological awareness. Many also share a seder (ceremonial meal) of tree fruits.

Agenda: 
1. Journal queries
2. Altar
3. Practice receptivity
4. Blessings Walk
5. Tree of Life visualization
6. Plant a tree
7. Share a seder meal

1. Journal queries: 

Even with no wolves, this is a scary time- I worry when my family travels in bad weather, and I feel vulnerable and unsettled by the violence and political goings on in the world.

How can I act with more courage, confidence, and equanimity? 
How can I be more openhearted and patient with the relationships, new projects, ideas, and missions I am nurturing in my life?
How can I be more open to receiving spiritual blessings and a better conduit through which blessings flow on to others?

2. Altar:
It's time to clear my altar and discern what to put on it for the next month. (For my general 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.

Things I'm keeping-

• pine cones- for potential growth and enlightenment
• a piece of quartz- for the purity of winter
• my straw doll- for luck and protection

Things I'm adding-

• a heart for receptivity and love
• a red candle for courage, confidence, and perseverance.
• a pink candle for openness and generosity, and to remind myself that vulnerability also takes courage.

3. Practice receptivity:
My theme for the next 30 days is receptivity; like the earth- accepting the seed, and willing to nurture it. Receptivity requires that I be open and available, and also requires that I do the work to care for what I receive. 

My goals this month are to:

• Practice the virtues of generosity and open-mindedness;
• Take the time to open myself to inspiration, and then do the work that inspiration gives me;
• Practice silence, and listen to understand. 
• Engage deeply with people, nurture my friendships, and make new friendships.

4. Blessings Walk:

I've decided to begin again to practice a daily Blessings Walk as I walk my dog each morning:

1. Mindfulness: Begin my walk, and pay attention to the moment- to the weather, the sky, the way my body is moving. Continue this for 1-2 blocks. 

2. Gratitude: Turn a corner and concentrate on everything I’m grateful for. Say, “I’m grateful for the fresh morning air; that I’m healthy, and my family is healthy; for my friends….” Continue this for 1-2 blocks.

3. Wishes: Turn a corner, and focus on what blessings I hope for now. Create a clear picture in my mind of what I wish to do today, how I want to live, how I want my home to look, what adventures I want to have... Continue this for 1-2 blocks. 

4. Prayer: Turn the last corner, and speak a prayer out loud as I’m moving; feel the power and energy move through me. Say “Spirit of the Universe, I am open and receptive to blessings from expected and unexpected sources. I am a limitless being, accepting from a limitless source, in an infinite way. I am incredibly blessed.”

5. Tree of Life visualization: 

Detail from "Presence".

I like the focus on trees and ecology at Tu B'Shevat, but I also enjoy the deeper symbolism expressed by the Kabbalists: They have an image of God as an upside-down tree, whose roots are invisible to us, and whose trunk and branches reach downward toward us. 

Through this Tree of Life flows love, enlightenment, and persistent creation, causing the world and each of our lives to bloom. Today I will light my pink candle and settle into quiet meditation:

Picture the tree of life above us all, upside down, reaching towards us. From that tree streams a pink light of love, wisdom, health, and growth. 
Picture a funnel at the top of my head, and the pink light flows in and fills my heart with a warm, tingly glow. Allow a smile to settle on my face and in my heart. 
See the pink light move from my heart to every part of my body so that every cell is glowing and vibrating. 
Now see the pink light of love radiating to fill the whole room, then the whole city, and the whole planet earth. See that all people, plants, and animals feel warm and happy.

6. Plant a tree:

It’s a tradition to plant trees on Tu b’Shevat, or to donate money for the environment. 

I planted a lemon tree four years ago on Tu B'Shevat, and it's growing very slowly. 

7. Share a Seder meal: 
Eating fruit on this night helps to keep Divine blessings flowing in the world. We will have a fruit seder tonight at sunset.

I usually buy any fruits I feel like, but I try to include some of the seven species of fruits and grains named in the Torah (Deuteronomy 8:8): Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. 

We cut the fruit and arrange it on a big platter, and set the table nicely with candles and flowers. (Sometimes I also make some whipped cream, for fun.)

When everything is ready, I light the candles and we say this prayer:

Baruch atah Adonai eloheynu melech ha-olam borey p’ri ha-eyts.

Blessed are You, our God, Who creates the fruit of the tree.