New Moon retreat day

The New Holiday Moon is tomorrow, but I'm sliding into a new moon perspective early, because I've got more time for contemplation today.

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 and set intentions for the next phase of my year.

Agenda:

1. Retreat Day
2. Choose a month theme
3. Choose goals and set intentions
4. New moon altar and meditation

1. 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. 

Today I'm having a drop in prayer meeting, as friends come by my house to tie a knot on the prayer quilt I made for a grieving couple; my day of retreat will be punctuated with shared reverence. (And I'll need to remind my visitors to stay in prayer so conversation doesn't derail my retreat!)

2. Choose a month theme:

Today I choose Love and Receptivity as the theme for this moon cycle: I will practice being like the earth, accepting the seed and willing to nurture it. Receptivity requires that we be open and available, gentle, loving, and sweet; but this isn't a passive situation - it also requires that we do the work to care for what we receive, and have the strength to love without conditions.

Receptivity goals might have to do with improving my loving relationship with my family, or with enriching self-love, or being more openhearted, trusting, and generous. Also, I can use the image of being a fertile earth mother when I am nurturing something new in my life.

My receptivity goals for this year are to practice self-awareness  and self-regulation (manage my thoughts, feelings, strengths, and excesses better); keep a values chart for growth in patience, attention, flexibility, respect, integrity, etc; and nurture my deepest friendships with monthly moon zooming.

3. Choose goals and set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for February, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top 10-20 goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action.

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.

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 have integrity (choose actions that align me with my highest self) by giving attention to how I leave each space I occupy or work in - leaving rooms and outdoor spaces impeccably neat and clean - because holding myself to high standards is how I create a sanctuary for myself and my family, honor the Light of Truth and Love, and witness to self-transcendence.

I intend to do the work of self-regulation (take a pause between feeling and action) to learn how to face threats in the environment with equanimity and tolerate my uncomfortable feelings, because this will allow me to transcend the anxiety, impatience, and indignation that sabotages my witness to the world.

4. 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 Spirit do I want to invoke?

Things I'm keeping-

• my straw doll - - for luck and protection
• pine cones - for potential growth and enlightenment
• a piece of quartz - for the purity of winter
• a dragonfly - for change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization

Things I'm adding-

• a picture of Brigid
• a beaded snake - for healing and regeneration
• 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.

Today I will light a small white candle on my altar. I will center and 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.