First Quarter moon of December

Photo by Alan Gillespie

 At the First Quarter Moon we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. Kiki Ely, in her book  Living Lunerly, says, "A good way to remember this is by looking at the perfect line of shadow down the moon's center: this is the moment to draw a firm line, boundary, or decision in your life and stick to it."

Now is the time to use obstacles as fuel for growth and show full effort for priorities. If you've been observing the advent time at a slow pace, you can begin to add more light and liveliness now.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Make a full effort plan

3. Make sweet, salty, or spicy nuts

1. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities. 

Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month?

What potential challenges and obstacles do I face this week and month (things I don’t enjoy, don’t know how to do, or feel blocked on)? How can I best meet these challenges?

How will I find the inspiration that will spark full effort for my priorities, every day, over and over?

From my journal: I am in grief. We lost a beloved family friend this week. My priorities have shifted; I will continue the waiting work of advent as I navigate grieving, and support my family and dear friends. I'm going to need equanimity. And I will draw on the twin powers of Nature and Toddler energy to ease me along.

2. Make a full effort plan: 

Full effort (sometimes called exertion) is one of the steps of mental discipline on Buddha’s eightfold path. Buddha was urging full effort for awakening the mind; a first step is to practice full effort for whatever is most important in your life right now - for your priorities.

I'm going to give full effort for grieving, and not just fill my days with activity to avoid this work. Today, I will make a plan:

1. Daily reading on grief, and daily prayer time.

2. Daily walk in nature, no matter the weather.

3. Daily touching in with my community to offer and accept support.

4. When I'm with my grandson I will follow his lead, and ground myself in the wonder of advent and nature activities.

3. Make sweet, salty, or spicy nuts:

This is a simple and nice alternative to baked goods. You can make them sweet, or salty-sweet, or spicy-sweet.

Ingredients:

• cooking spray
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 c. raw nuts (combine walnut or pecan halves, almonds, cashews, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 2 teaspoons spices (I used half chili powder and half cinnamon on this batch, but cumin and black pepper also work)

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

2. Heat sugar, water, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted. Cook for 1 minute and remove from heat.

3. Combine any kinds of raw nuts in a large bowl. Add salt and spices if you want, and stir.

4. Drizzle the butter mixture over the nuts and stir to coat, the spread them out on the foil into a single layer.

5. Bake nuts in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then take them out and stir them around to make sure the syrup has coated them all. Spread back into a single layer and return to the oven for just a few more minute- watch them because they can burn easily. Allow to cool before serving.