Kakizome Day and New Bitter Moon

The last new moon of the Chinese calendar rose this morning; The Chinese call this twelfth new moon the Bitter Moon, because it brings the bitter cold and unforgiving darkness. 

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, shine a light on your path, and set some intentions.

Since this is also the start of the year, I've got a jumble of thoughts, goals, plans, and vague ideas floating in my head. Today I will take some time to shine light on my path for January, and also for the year.

Today is also Kakizome Day; kakizome means "first writing". Today people all over Japan will take time to use a brush and sumi ink to write out a favorite quote or phrase - the first calligraphy of the new year. Kakizome is a way to express your positive wishes for the New Year. 

Agenda:

1. Discern a year theme

2. Christmas retreat

3. January journal brainstorm

4. January theme - Stillness 

5. Set goals and intentions

6. New moon altar and meditation

7. Practice my calligraphy

1. Discern a year theme:

As soon as I am able in the New Year, or before the New Year starts, I discern a theme for the year. Discernment takes time, attention, creativity, and an open mind.

My working theme for 2022 is "Year of Awareness" but what does that mean? Today I'll collect some more information:

• I will start with practical wisdom-- do some research on wisdom and awareness - the meaning and the process - reflect, and weigh the possibilities.
• Next I will seek a leading of the spirit with an open mind and heart - listen for insight and intuitions - my felt sense - and then patiently labor to understand.
• Finally, I will seek clearness by inviting thoughtful questioning (not advise) from some people I trust. 

2. Christmas retreat:

I am continuing my 12 Days of Christmas mini-retreat, focusing on my priorities and what I'm called to do (or not do) next in my life. Today I am honoring learning, skills, and growth.

How can I foster my curiosity? What is my Inner Guide leading me to learn? 

What new skills might be useful in the new year? What specific new skills do I need, to complete my goals and leadings? 

What areas of study will lead me to my mission in life? What topics are of interest to me now? What topics will be a challenge to my usual way of thinking? What do I want to learn so I can teach it?

What study will help me to understand myself better, and help me to grow? What social skills do I still need to work on? What will make me more resilient?

What are some current events or issues I should understand better? 

What kinds of resources can I use (books, videos, podcasts, workshops, etc.) and what is my timeline?

3. January Journal Brainstorm:

The new moon is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose. I've been thinking a lot about the year ahead, but today I will narrow in on just the next 30 days. This exercise has three parts:

Part One - collect information. Brainstorm goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next month without judgement - including at least a few crazy, improbable notions.

• Start with a list of seasonal themes - the new year, epiphany, returning Light, hunger and cold, and so on - and seasonal celebrations, vacations, and other events;
• Next, write a list for each top priority - anything that that comes to mind that I want to do or need to do, as long as it fits with my priorities;
• Also, read back through my journal and circle any ideas and goals that make me feel the most excited and energized right now, and add these to the list. 

Part 2 - reflect. Next, I have a little chat with myself on paper about the next month of my life, and what my best month would look like, moving me in the direction of my most important reasons for living:

• Write about my biggest priorities this next 30 days, how they might fit into my life, and how they connect to my values and principles.
• Write about possible obstacles and factors such as the weather, upcoming schedule changes, or money problems.
• Write about the parts that excite me and the parts that might be hard to find motivation for. 

Part 3 - weigh the possibilities. I will take a break for a few minutes - get a fresh cup of coffee or go outside to look at the sky, then come back and read what I wrote. Write a very brief synopsis of the next month of my life.

4. January theme - Stillness:

I have a theme for the year, and also I cycle through my favorite themes for each month. My theme for January is stillness. I picture this like a climb up a sacred mountain to an isolated cave; the mountain has reached the peak of upward movement, and in stillness holds its place as the highest. This great immovable mountain represents meditation, and the resting of body, mind and spirit.

Stillness is a peaceful inner space where I can absorb and integrate my daily experiences; it's my time to read, write, meditate, and pray. When I build quiet into my daily routine, I honor the full rhythm of life- the yin time of stillness balances my yang action. To be wise, I need to be dedicated to my practice and nurture my inner self with intention. Being a mountain allows my ego to disappear for a bit, and all my studies, artwork, and adventures are transformed into wisdom. I can then turn back to the outside world seeing myself as a part of the whole rather than an isolated individual.

Goals for stillness might have to do with cultivating my curiosity and my wisdom, improving my mental health and peace of mind, sharing my knowledge in a useful way (teaching, modeling, or advising), balancing activity with alone time for reflection, getting a handle on re-occurring mistakes, and any kind of inner study, self-growth, preparation, or education.

My ideas for stillness goals so far in 2022 are:

Delve into a deeper Earth Quaker understanding with reading and writing.

Research Earthcare topics weekly. 

Meditate on the monthly Faith and Practice queries.

Learn self-publishing.

Learn orchard care. 

Gather toddler art ideas.

Study my personality style, practice self-awareness, and learn how to manage my quirks and excesses without judgement.

5. 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 use 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 discern and define my role for each of my Earthcare activist communities, so I can focus on my strengths and be effective, and maintain my energy and resilience.

I intend to choose and commit to leading one monthly Climate Revolutions by Bike action, because I greatly value this group's goals and want to advance them step by step.

I intend to write weekly email updates and monthly newsletters for our Quaker Earthcare Group, because this is the growing edge of our Meeting, and it's exciting to be guide for this journey.

I intend to practice listening worship, earth devotions, and an awareness walk daily (or nearly) because every day is a chance for a sacred connection to Creation, Light, and Love; I honor Creation with my awareness of the circle of the seasons, and I honor the Light of Truth and Love with awareness of my place in Creation.

6. New moon altar and meditation:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next 30 days or so. (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 the Spirit do I want to invoke?

Today I cleared my altar, then added-

• a blue candle- for stillness, thought, and study
• a picture of a mountain - for stillness and meditation
• a dragonfly - for change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization
• an angel- to remind me to be giving and loving
• pine cones - for potential growth and enlightenment
• my straw doll - for luck and protection
• the Greek Delphic injunction - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself.
  

I will light a small white candle on my altar, center, give attention to each of 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.

7. Practice my calligraphy:

In Japan, calligraphy is part of the curriculum in all schools. On Kakizome Day, students begin the year by practicing their calligraphy skills - calligraphy is the normal handwriting in Japan, and your handwriting is thought to reveal your personality.

Writing is a priority for me: I express myself with my words and use words in my artwork. It's my tradition to start a written project of  some kind on Kakizome Day - sometimes calligraphy, but not always. Today I will work on a new wooden sign