Great Saturday and Third Quarter Moon

Today is Great Saturday or Holy Saturday, the day between Jesus' death and his resurrection. In the Church, it's celebrated with watchful expectation and funeral hymns.

I'm celebrating it with an extra Grandson Day of Fun, starting with the children's museum and lunch at the food court.

Today is also the third Quarter moon. This 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.

Agenda Today:

1. Renewal plan

2. Evaluation House

3. Monthly journal brainstorm

1. Renewal plan:

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.

This end-of-April finds me recovering from a head cold, and feeling a little overwhelmed with activity. I'm going to give some attention and care to my body and spirit for the next few days:

1. Water: Back to the basics of drinking more water!
2. Morning garden time: Get outside early to water and pull a few weeds, and be at peace with nature.
3. Play outside: Also, get the boys outside each afternoon for some fun in the sun - biking, hopscotch, duck care, basketball, wading pool, and sand play. 

2. Evaluation House:

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

3. 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, including at least a few crazy, improbable notions. 

-Start with a list of seasonal themes and celebrations, vacations, and other events.

-Write about my biggest priorities this month, 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.