Full Strawberry Moon

Tonight is the full moon called the Strawberry Moon. Sweet, ripe strawberries are a gift from Mother Earth that remind me of the creative power I have to make my dreams real and visible. 

This is a highly yang time of movement and strength, the season of completion, abundance, and fulfillment. I have hope that I will reach my full flowering, begin to enjoy the fruits of my visions, and relax in the richness of success.

We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon. But today it's time to CELEBRATE! The full moon is a time of fruitfulness, creativity, and completion, and also strong (sometimes overwhelming) emotion. This month I feel hopeful and energetic, and also sometimes exasperated, and I want to acknowledge and embrace the whole spectrum of my emotions.

Today I will celebrate how far I've come and give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Celebrate abundance

3. Full moon ceremony

1. Journal queries:

The full moon shines a bright light on everything, and I might be shocked by the clarity of my insights. I might experience intuitive and creative breakthroughs.

At this phase, I'll see the work I've been putting in begin to pay off, but also see where I need to work harder. 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 sit down with my journal, and my New Moon list of goals, and I seek the truth:

Do these aims all still seem vital? What are my deepest reasons for persuing these goals?

What beliefs, obstacles, doubts, or attachements are holding me back? Can I release them now? 

What opportunities for growth do I see today? What are my next steps?

Make two lists:

1. Write out the things I want to celebrate: My achievements, and events of the last two weeks that deserve commemoration.

2. Write out a few things I'd like to release this month: Habits, beliefs, obstacles, and attachments. 

2. Celebrate abundance:

My theme for this month's full moon continues to be abundance. I will remind myself of my intentions, and then celebrate my accomplishments and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks.

After reviewing my goals and my accomplishments of the last two weeks, I am ready to celebrate abundance in three ways:

1. Work on my Loving Earth patch, and plan an interest group
2. Harvest kale and raspberries to freeze
3. Plan a pie party for my sweetheart!

3. Full moon ceremony:

The full moon is the right time to celebrate wins and release losses. Since it's a time of high energy and emotion, I use this simple and quiet ceremony:

1. Take the two lists I wrote, along with a lit candle, outside after dusk and look for the moon in the northeastern sky. Plant my feet firmly on the ground, take some slow breaths, and soak up the light of the full moon.

2. Read out my list of things to celebrate: My achievements, and events of the last month that deserve commemoration, and thank the universe.

3. Read out my list of things I'd like to release this month: Habits, beliefs, obstacles, and attachments. Hold this list to the flame and watch the smoke and ash float away.