New Chrysanthemum Moon

Endurance- acrylic and collage on canvas.

Tonight is the night of the new moon. The Chinese call this ninth new moon the Chrysanthemum Moon. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and endurance because of its ability to withstand colder temperatures. According to Chinese scholars, it shows the virtues of one who can endure temptations and maintain grace.

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.

Agenda for today:
1. Journal queries

2. Retreat Day

3. Pick a theme

4. Set goals and intentions

5. New moon altar and meditation

6. Fall cleaning

1. Journal queries:

The new moon is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. I write down what I hope to focus on in the next 30 days or so, and then give my ideas a period of gestation, like seeds in the soil, before I take action. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose.

How well am I responding to the challenges of the year and the season? 

In what areas is my endurance fraying? 

In what areas am I out of balance, and how might I get back into balance? 

From my journal: My best gauge of imbalance is to observe where I feel discontented or stressed, which is mostly in the physical realm right now... I'd like to recover quickly from this tendonitis, so I should probably do my therapy consistently. Otherwise, what a wonderful fall I'm having!  

2. Retreat Day:

If at all possible, I schedule a day
of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. 

This new moon falls right in the center of a busy week, and I have chores and baby care all day, but I'm starting the day with quiet reflection and I will carry a slow pace and calmness with me through the day. I've scaled back our activities: We will do fall bulb planting, harvest herbs, and maybe continue to paint a pumpkin!

3. Pick a theme:

Today I choose a theme for the month, and begin to give attention to it. My theme this month is balance - the balance of concentration and mindfulness, action and study, social and alone time, yearning and resistance.

In feng shui, the center of the home is the area of Tai Chi, the great ultimate. The image is of the celestial ridgepole, the line that connects two sides; it's the circle around and the point between yin and yang energies.

 

The center is the place where my soul lives; it touches all other areas of my life. My life flows around the solid base of my center. Goals for balance at the center might have to do with grounded-ness, finding clarity in chaos, embracing paradox, letting go of frustrations, or allowing myself to flow with life’s changes. Remind myself to look at change as an adventure not a disruption, and to love life as it is. Also, this is the place of connection to Spirit, and enlightenment - I might seek a closer relationship with the Spirit outside myself. 

My balance goals this month:

• Relax into the grounding of a one-year old!
• Seek clarity in my writing (especially the transformation chapter).
• Embrace the paradox of continued isolation and greater connection.
• Let go of frustration and the need for people to make smart decisions or be responsible.

4. Set goals and intentions:

 I have a two-fold task today: Plan some new goals, and set some intentions for the days ahead. Though lots of writers use these terms interchangeably, I am clear about the differences:

Goals are a plan for the future that help us stay on track with who we are becoming. 

Intentions are a pledge for action in the present; they remind us of who we are now, and our deepest, most essential, most passionate reasons for living. I write my intentions in present tense, and I u
se this model: action + deepest reason. 

After I list my top 10 goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. This is a very time-consuming but important process. I'm going to choose a few to write today - those I might act on today - then work on a few more each day this week.

I intend to serve my Quaker community (and the world) by hosting a Quaker Earthcare Support Group, and taking steps to listen, lead, advocate, and educate about the climate crisis (as well as studying to become more informed myself), because all life on this earth has the right to a safe and healthy environment, and each person and being in the world, and future generations, and the earth itself, deserves to live with basic needs met.

 

I intend to write my final chapter - the Transformation chapter - because I’m curious to see where it leads, and I want to demonstrate the integrity of finishing what I start!

 

I intend to celebrate all the festivals and themes of fall (harvest, transition, death) with one-year-old eyes, engaging all the senses, and sharing the wonder with my grandson.

5. New moon altar and meditation:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next four weeks. (For my 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. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke? I will keep from last month:

• a God's eye - to watch over us
• dried corn - for the harvest
  
• my straw doll- for luck and protection

Today I added- 

• a golden candle for balance in the center
• a soapstone cat for independence, mystery, agility, and balance

Next, I light a small white candle on my altar, center, give attention to my intentions, and picture each one accomplished. Then I'll let go of expectations, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.

4. Fall Cleaning:

Fall cleaning has an entirely different feel and focus than spring cleaning. In the fall we finish up, pack away, and "batten the hatches"-- we put away all the outdoor stuff, air out the sweaters, and prepare for winter. 

This week I will continue fall cleaning in the back rooms and back yard. I plan to:

• Sort and pare down my clothes, store away summer things, and get out my sweaters.
• Put away the lawn furniture.
• Clean the duck coop and prepare it for winter.
• Repaint the window frames outside my studio.