Waning Crescent Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

This waning crescent moon is the final phase of the White Moon cycle. The next new moon, in five days, will be the Bitter Moon cycle. At the new moon I'll set my intentions for the month ahead.

But right now, at the waning crescent, it's time to evaluate and brainstorm, find purpose, and surrender. I'll open to curiosity and attention, contemplate what I might want in the 30 days ahead, and rest up for the move back into yang-action mode. These next few days are a chance to look back and look forward, and think about the big picture of my life. 

Agenda:

1. Ongo journal

2. Review my purpose

3. Review priorities

4. Monthly journal brainstorm

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Ongo journal:

I'm going back through this book by Catherine Madden and Jesse Weiss Chu (2022), focussing on the solo practices. The solo practices are meant to be done 5 days a week - 3 practices alternating with 2 "Rememberings", to allow you to go deep.

Day 3 this week is Meeting Needs. "Sometimes when we connect to a particular Need, we find that it stirs up pain or discomfort. This is often called and 'unmet' Need." This section describes the feeling I had when reading the word EFFECTIVENESS. I felt a weight on my shoulders. I felt sadness, frustration, despair, and hopelessness.

"These feelings let us know there is something alive in us that is wanting to be 'met' with a deeper level of presence and curiosity. ... Our feelings are inviting us to meet our Need, like we would meet someone we are genuinely curious about getting to know. And when there is pain present, the first layer of meeting often involves becoming aware of the thoughts and beliefs that surround that Need in us."

Practice:

1. Choose a Need that stirs up pain or discomfort.
2. Write down any thoughts or beliefs related to that need.
3. Take a deep breath, bring awareness to the body. Read one item back at a time, and give attention to body sensations and feelings with compassion and curiosity. Don't rush.
4. Take a few breaths, let go of these feelings for now, and bring ease to my body. Feel the support of the earth.
5. Take a last moment to honor this Need that I am re-meeting.

Journal: My pain comes from the thoughts and beliefs that I am not enough to meet the need of effectiveness: I am too flighty and lazy, I don't finish what I start, I'm not wise enough, brave enough, or altruistic enough... and also that it all hinges on me - no-one else will do it. It has to be me that saves the world.

I really want to add a final "Creative Perspective" part - What is the shift I can make to really love this Need of mine? A New Narrative such as: " I am doing exactly what I need to do to save the world. I am following my little piece of Light and that is enough."

2. Review my purpose:

My purpose right now is to love and serve my family and my community (learning greater equanimity and compassion); lead a simple life of integrity (caring for the earth and speaking truth to power); be a creative force in the world (expressing myself with writing, art, and actions); and celebrate the seasons and the circle.

3. Review my priorities:

I have lots of things in lots of categories that I do every day, but which of those are priorities now in my life? I only have so much time each day, so I hope to give priority to the activities and people that matter most to me right now. 

My priorities are fluid; they change with the seasons and with my responsibilities. I like to review them monthly, before the new moon. Today I ask myself:

-Which of my priorities have gotten the least attention this last month and why? 

-What seasonal focus and upcoming events are priorities now?

-What are my important responsibilities this month?

-What upcoming activities give me the biggest rewards?

-What would I do this month if I knew I only had 6 months to live?

-What activities best support my beliefs and values?

-Where do my strengths lie?

     

From my Journal: All of my priorities have suffered this last month as community, family, and advent introspection have taken center stage. It's time to regroup, re-prioritize, and re-focus! I will put writing and garden highest, and carefully evaluate my community efforts to make sure I'm putting in time towards the best effectiveness.

After some thought, this is my slate of priorities for the next month: 

• Writing: Winter chapter
• Garden: Plans and preparation
• Earth service: Education and plans
• Home: Create order, clean mold, steps for Home Projects
• Creative projects: Daily steps
• Teaching: Process art + community outreach
• Health: Steady attention on exercise, walks, and food

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, 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.

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate: 

This next few days is 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!