Third Quarter Moon of Early February

Tonight is the waning Third Quarter moon of February. Today's 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.

I relish this calm time before the busy-ness of March; time to make plans, study, and renew my spirit.

Agenda today:

1. Read "Revolutionary Witchcraft"

2. Ongo journal

3. Renewal plan

4. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

5. Ritual for Release and Realignment

6. Monthly journal brainstorm

7. 

Choose a theme for Lent

8. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Read "Revolutionary Witchcraft":

I'm reading this sweet little book by Sarah Lyons (2019) that I got from my daughter for Christmas. The subtitle is A Guide to Magical Activism.

Chapter 1 is A Witch's Place is in the Struggle. And I'm on a section called The Power of the Witch Today, and at the very end of this first chapter is the section on Connecting to the Ancestors. 

"All of us come from overlapping histories of oppression that helped create the problems we face today. Some of our ancestors were oppressed and sometimes they were the oppressor, and either way we have wounded genes that have been passed down through us that we need to heal if we are to fix the world."

The ancestors I'd like to connect to are the English witches and shamans who were wiped out during the inquisition - those grandmothers of mine who knew the earth as a part of themselves. 

Ancestor practice: Collect a white candle, and hold a glass of water in both hands, saying, "For all my grandmothers who died because they were close to the Earth."  Then imagine a warm light flowing from me to the cup, so that the water becomes Light. When it feels full, put the water down, light the candle, and offer gratitude. Blow out the candle.

 

2. Ongo journal:

I'm going back through this book by Catherine Madden and Jesse Weiss Chu (2022), focussing on the solo practices. I'm on week 6, and Day 1 is Seeing the Gift. This section is about beginning to understand why people act the way they do - what the Need is they are expressing.

The practice: Look at people today with curiosity to see if I can guess what Needs they are expressing. Take a moment to connect to the energy of those needs, feeling them in my own body. 

3. 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.

From my Journal: I'm feeling pretty healthy and happy, considering all that's going on in the world. I'm stretching and exercising most days, and walking (but still less than I'd like). I'm stretching my mind, too, with my writing, research, and activist work. My spirit is expanding as I work with new perspectives and practices - all in all, an invigorating time!

4. Meditation and Evaluation Journal:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the Bitter Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been receptivity. I ask myself, What lessons have I learned in the last weeks? What has been completed? What has shifted? and what can I set aside?

I sit with these queries and write in my journal in a reflective way - my insights, emotions, and the clarity I’ve gained during the last lunar month and how I’ve grown. 

I review the intentions I set at the new moon, and write about what I've accomplished. I also write about 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.

This reflection will prepare me for moving forward with grace and purpose.

5. Ritual for Release and Realignment:

This phase of the moon is for releasing and cleansing. This month I want to release my anger at injustice and disrespect. Anger doesn't serve me here - I can challenge these with non-violent, peaceful, equanimity!

6. 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: Brainstorm goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next month without judgement - include at least a few crazy, improbable notions; reflect on 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; then take time to weigh the possibilities.

7. Choose a theme for Lent:

Lent begins next week, and it's time to consider how I will use this time of reflection. At Lent I allow myself to be slow, simple, and thoughtful. I spend time each day in focused study and prayer. 

And I also observe Lent as a time of creative action, taking small and large actions at home and in my community.

And I generally also choose something to temporarily reduce or cut out of my life, as a reminder that what I truly need is the nurturing of Spirit (I try to choose something to fast from that is a good symbol of how I am trying to grow).

Today I'm thinking about the theme "Returning to the Earth", which is the focus of the webinar I've been taking. I want to settle in to some daily study, prayer, and action for the earth, and perhaps another plastic fast.   

8. 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!