December Third Quarter Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Today's waning third quarter moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work, renewal, and self-care.

At this point in my advent, I'm still finishing gift-making, baking, and decorating, but I'm ready for a gentle shift towards quiet.

Agenda today:

1. Renewal plan for next month

2. Evaluation House

3. Monthly journal brainstorm

4. Write about a rosy future

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Renewal plan for next month:

I try to renew all four dimensions of my life (body, mind, heart, and spirit), as Stephen Covey taught: I spend about an hour each day on a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual regeneration activities, plus work to improve my social skills and relationships. Today's waning half moon is my opportunity to review how I'm doing, and make note of new ideas for the month ahead.

From my journal: Looking ahead to the end of advent, to several family gatherings, to travel, and the New Year, I know that I need a solid renewal plan in place with lots of time for naps, reading and writing, and also lots of time for walking outdoors. I'm yearning for time to sort out my priorities, get back to basics, put my ducks in a row.

2. Evaluation House:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the White Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been Grace. 

I reviewed the intentions I set at the new moon and drew a house with 2 rooms: 

• A room for celebration of all I have accomplished already this month.
• A room for discerning what to do with the unfinished parts (Some of these I will finish in the next couple days, some I will save for next month, and some I will release because they have become irrelevant or didn't go as planned.)

4. Monthly journal brainstorm:

At the new moon (next week) I will transition from one focus to another, and a whole new field of opportunity. This week I'll take time to write down my goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for 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 - include at least a few crazy, improbable notions.

Part 2 - reflect. 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.

Part 3 - weigh the possibilities. 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. Write About a Rosy Future:

This is the time of year when I begin to ask what I want to do in the New Year, and brainstorm some big, new directions. But I feel a little hemmed in, by age and physical condition, and by family and community commitments. What would I do with my life if I was footloose and 25 again?

Every year, near the end of the year, I like to use my imagination to envision my perfect future, a utopia - where the world is safe, the earth is thriving, and I am happy and healthy.

In my imagination, I can create a future that is positive and perfect, but for this exercise I will need to suspend my pessimism about the human race, and imagine a world where the best of humanity has won out over the worst. Also, I will need to accept that I am capable of anything I put my mind to; set aside all limitations and imagine myself accomplishing my biggest dreams.

Today I will take out my journal, put on some imaginary rose-colored glasses, and fast forward my life to 5 or 10 years in the future:

• Close my eyes, and relax my body. Bring up an image of an older me, in my best possible life, in my own personal paradise. Picture where I am, what I look like, who I am with, and what I am doing. Most importantly, feel how I am feeling - excited, happy, clear, and satisfied.
• Open my eyes, and begin to write a letter from my future self, a rosy vision of my future life. Include as many senses as possible (sight, sounds, smells, touch). Write about the dreams and goals I pursued and succeeded at. I will make it as positive and perfect as I can manage without feeling cynical. (If cynicism arises, I will take a breath and say, "Anything is possible," then continue.

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate: 
The next few days are a time to be empty; the time for striving is past. As the moon’s light fades into darkness I get to relax and surrender to the universe. 

Some things will always be out of my control. As the moon's appearance dwindles, I let go of useless beliefs, unreasonable expectations, grudges, defensiveness, projects that don't fit into my life, and anything else that isn't working for me. I turn these all over to the Divine and give thanks, my way of opening to receive new intentions in the new month.

Then I give myself permission to rest!