Third Quarter Moon of Early March

Tonight is the waning Third Quarter moon of March. 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.

March is a month of actions it's a relief to take a small breather this week to discern the net steps forward.

Agenda today:

1. Devotions

2. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

3. Ritual for Release and Realignment

4. Monthly journal brainstorm

5. Proaction and reciprocity plans

6. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Devotions: 

I'm reading from two lovely books: Living Earth Devotional, by Clea Dana (2013), and Earth Medicine, by Jamie Sams (1994).

Today Living Earth is a meditation: "Hold a plant in your hand, any plant. Try to picture its energy process: The sun and water and carbon dioxide it turns into life, supported by fungal and bacterial waste in soil and the minerals of five billion years' worth of stone and mineral. Visualize its roots exchanging nutrients as the leaves exchange gasses. Go back in time into the seed that formed it ... sit with the pedigree of this plant  ... feeling this one moment spread back through time and space."

2. Meditation and Evaluation Journal:

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

3. Ritual for Release and Realignment:

This phase of the moon is for releasing and cleansing. This month I want to release my lethargy and dormancy and get outside for gardening, walks and errands.

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. This exercise has three parts: Brainstorm goals, dreams, and exciting ideas 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.

5. Proaction and reciprocity plans:

On Wednesdays I often journal a bit about the future, and my dreams and goals: What GREAT things do I want to accomplish? How will I serve people? How will I use my talents? How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential?

Then I try to define achievable, meaningful goals and prioritize the goals and tasks with the greatest long-term impact.

In the next week I hope to:

• Publicize a discussion of the Clean Water bill. Become more well-versed and educated in the facts.
• Update the Interfaith Earthkeeper calendar, and communicate with faith groups to advertise it.
• Next steps for the Little Plant Library: Make signage and web info; collect pots. 
• Send out the EC action news, with information about the Clean Water bill discussion.
• Begin to visualize next steps I want to take this spring to advocate against the climate and biodiversity loss crisis: Focus on forests? Climate cafe?
• Witness with watershed art?
• Potting Day + Regenerative education.

6. 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!