New White Moon and Start of Soyal

Tonight is the new moon. The Chinese call the eleventh new moon the White Moon, perhaps because it brings the snow, or perhaps because it's a yin time of year.

And today is the start of Soyal, a Hopi ceremonial period that begins at the new moon closest to the Winter Solstice and lasts for 16 days. Soyal is short for Soyalangwul, which means Establishing Life Anew for All the World. It's a sacred time of peace and preparation for the new growing season.

Agenda Today:

1

. Read a novena

2. Settle into the Soyal Way of Being

3. Choose a month theme

4. Set intentions

5. Retreat to review the Divine Laws

6. Prayer candle ceremony

1. Read a novena:

I'v been reading this Creation Novena from the Indian Catholic Matters site:

Day 4: A Prayer for the Land:
Creator God, we give thanks for the land. Thank You for the confidence and comfort we feel from the earth beneath bare feet. Thank You for the earth that sustains us, as it is the home of the plants and animals from which we draw sustenance. Thank You for the many uses of minerals in our lives—uses that shelter us, heal us, and connect us.

As we mine Your Earth beyond its capacity, as mountains are carved to nothing and rich soil turns to dust, give us a sense of measure. Help us see when we’ve gone far enough—when we’ve taken enough. As we anticipate Jesus’ birth, help us find a new direction.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

2. Settle into the Soyal Way of Being:

During Soyal, the Hopi follow a special way of acting and being, to help turn the sun back toward its summer path, establish the right mood for the coming year, and reach a unity of everything in the universe. To do that, I will:

• Be quiet and be respectful. Use nice words. 
• Move slowly and as silently as possible, for all life is germinating in the mother's womb. 
• Strengthen my bonds with my family. Be helpful and caring.
• Review the Divine laws, as I see them.
• Reflect on the past year, my own conduct and the conduct of people as a whole.
• Make plans for the coming year based on what I think the Spirits want.
• Pray- Ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.

3. Choose a month theme:

View from the top of the South Sister.

At the new moon I choose a new theme to give attention to. My theme this next 30-days 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 become 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 stillness practices (incorporating the Soyal Way of Being):

1. Practice equanimity: Be respectful of Mother Earth, and move slowly and quietly about my tasks, because all of life is now germinating in the Mother's womb. 
2. Prayer-candle ceremony: Ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.
3. Review Divine laws: Write about my core values and priorities, make plans for the coming year based on guidance from the Spirits, and take symbolic action.

4. Set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for the next 30 days, 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've written just two intentions, the ones I might act on today, and will write more later.

I intend to overview the past year, put myself in context with the whole of life, evaluate my progress, review the testimonies that guide me, and my priorities, and set intentions for growth and action in the New Year, because this is a balance point, and an opportunity to shift and bend if needed.

I intend to study and learn new information and skills every day for my whole life, with curiosity, passion, and tenacity, because learning gives me the gifts of greater effectiveness, better relationships, and continual growth towards enlightenment.

I intend to practice finding inner peace and creative perspective - Being a Zen Grandma - with a "New Narrative" journal in my blog to practice asking myself questions about challenges and Needs, and an in-the-moment practice of breathing and re-framing, because breaking free from  the quagmire of reactivity, anger, self-protection, and irritation with my loved ones will free me for greatness.

5. Retreat to review the Divine Laws:

At Soyal, I review the Divine Laws, as I see them. A Divine Law is anything that comes directly from God: a natural law, universal truth, principle, or a rule of conduct that is inherent and essential in human society.

My top ten Divine Laws, with abbreviated definitions, are:

1. Purpose: Lead the best life I can, and grow into being the best person I can be.
2. Integrity: Be whole and undivided, and hold to my values and principles. 
3. Discernment: Think before acting; listen within deeply, and seek clarity; make wise choices, with an open mind.
4. Peace and Equanimity: Stay calm and patient with people and problems, not obsessed with any thought, and not acting with aggression or anger.
5. Love: Practice habits of listening, generosity, patience, care, and kindness with my community, my family, and the earth.
6. Simplicity: Use only my share of the earth’s resources, and preserve time for my priorities.
7. Earthcare: Live a lifestyle that cherishes and nurtures Creation; advocate and educate about the climate crisis.
8. Creative perspective: To expand my perspective (think outside the box), have the courage to take experimental risks, and honestly express myself with words and art.
9. Community / Unity: Commit to moving forward together, with Light and Love, not letting our differences prevent cooperation.
10. Witness: Speak truth through my words, writing, artwork, and actions, and lead by example.
11. Equality: Treat every person and creature with respect and love, knowing that there is that of God in all; work to correct shortfalls in my community.

This next 11 days I will have an extended retreat to reflect on these Divine Laws, my conduct in the past year, and the conduct of people as a whole. I will also listen for any guidance on a way forward.

6. Prayer Candle ceremony:

At Soyal, Hopis make prayer feathers for their family and friends, for personnel well-being, for the increase of animals and crops, and for any other purpose they can think of. At the Soyal ceremony, they breath their wishes and prayers on the feathers, then hang them up so that the wind will carry their prayers skyward.

A few years ago I started a new tradition, using candles instead of feathers, which are more rooted in my own ancestral past. I will have a daily prayer candle ceremony through the next 16 days, using small candles and candle ends, and will choose a new candle to add each day.

Today I light a small white moon candle, and ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.

Hopi Prayer: Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy ---Myself--- Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.