New Peony Moon

Beautiful peonies growing in my neighborhood.

The new moon rises today; the Chinese call the fourth new moon the Peony Moon. Peonies are the flower of riches, romance, and honor, called sho yu in Chinese, which means "most beautiful." Their lush blooms are an omen of good fortune, and also foretell a happy marriage.

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, set intentions, and initiate something new.

Agenda:

1. Retreat Day

2. Journal queries

5. Pick a theme

4. Read "Everyday Simplicity"

5. Set intentions

6. 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. I have a whole day to myself today, so my plan is to be as quiet and slow-moving as possible!

2. Journal queries:

What new paths are calling to me?

Where do I need inspiration or a helping hand?

What skills and insights do I have to offer as a team member?

Where am I called to leadership, and what skills do I need to build?

From my journal: May is truly a transition into summer, and this summer promises to be as full and busy as usual. I plan to use May to prepare; specifically, I'm preparing for "grandma camps", being clerk for the summer, and leading a climate cafe.

3. Pick a theme:

I pick a new theme each month at the new moon - this month it's synergy, the ability to seek unity, embrace teamwork, live holistically, and work tirelessly towards a better end. I'll also focus on simplicity, to preserve time and other resources and clear space for my priorities.

Engagement photo- 1978

Synergy is the eternally active primal force of creation: No matter what the conditions are, they will change. You create synergy in your life when you make the effort to see clearly, stay open-minded, and take persistent right action. Synergy will allow you to experience the people in your life as angels, and the places you live, work, and play as paradise.

My favorite symbol for synergy is our marriage. I use a photo from our youth to remind me that the hard work of being part of a team is ultimately worth the effort.

Another aspect of synergy is wholistic living: Seeing all the roles and aspects of my life as an interconnected system, and creating connections that yield exponentially greater results. That's where simplicity teams up with synergy - to help me to hone in on the most effective way of living. 

Synergy and simplicity goals might be to better understand different perspectives, become a better teammate or leader, ask for and accept practical help or spiritual guidance, get clarity on the next steps and then have more persistence, or be more open to new paths and changes.

My synergy practices this month:

• Teamwork plans and visuals - be prepared to communicate my vision.
• Stoic inquiry - ask myself "how I am choosing to think, feel, and act in the moment?" (am I choosing to expand or contract, give or take, contribute or pullback, appreciate or criticize?)
• Inner synergy and full-effort: Engage all of myself (physical, mental, spiritual) in my priorities so that I create an explosion of power!

4. Read "Everyday Simplicity":

I bought myself this little book, by Robert J. Wicks (2000), as a birthday treat. The subtitle is: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth.

Chapter 15 continues on the topic of prayer, which is how we join our spiritual life with our day-to-day life. "As we become naturally aware of God throughout the day, we journey in both worlds simultaneously."

Prayer is divided into 6 building blocks that he calls "a little rule", a set of practices. This week the topic is to Share Your Faith. He talks about being with any group of people in community, being present with them as family, to relax and share my gifts, and appreciate the gifts of those I meet. "If we welcome others with openness and hope, with minimal categories and expectations, we can be the recipient of wonderful insights. We can celebrate the temporary in ways which will bring epiphanies to open up each day."

Practice for this section: Seek ways to be with people who support my spiritual journey and look for ways to encourage and nurture their spiritual journeys. Set aside my agenda and listen; be "attuned to faith-sharing opportunities" as they present themselves in ordinary situations. 

5. Set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for May, 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 goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I chose a few to write today - those I might act on soon - then I'll work on a few more each day this week.

I intend to be more proactive with teamwork this month by preparing all the information and creating visuals (to better communicate my vision); AND then, in the moment, give attention to how I am contributing by practicing stoic inquiry (how I am choosing to think, feel, and act?); and by giving full effort, because quietly supporting synergy and teamwork with my teams is my contribution to the unity of the world.

I intend to prepare for Grandma camp: Teaching plant parts, new outdoor games, house chores, field trips (library time, gymnastics, museums, water play), names of flowers and birds, planting fun + basic art skills with painting, clay, sewing, cooking, - engaging all the senses, and sharing the wonder, because they are both at the perfect age for Discovery, and growing a creative and adventurous soul is my calling.

5. New moon altar and meditation:

 It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next four weeks. (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? I added-

• a silver candle - for synergy
• a photo from our youth - for being part of a team
• a dragon - for good fortune
• a sun - for clarity and yang energy
• an angel - to remind me to look for helpful people

Next I light a small white candle on my altar, and picture each of my intentions accomplished. Then I let go of expectations, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.