April Third-Quarter Moon

Tonight is the waning Third Quarter moon of April. 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 next steps forward.

Agenda today:

Agenda: 

1. Read "The Book of Doing and Being"

2. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

3. Ritual for Release and Realignment

4. Monthly journal brainstorm

5. Projects for the week

6. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Read "The Book of Doing and Being":

I'm reading from this book by Barnet Bain (2015), subtitled "Rediscovering Creativity in Life, Love, and Work". This is a book of creative perspective, to help jiggle me out of the straight line way I usually think into something new: Use the exercises with consistency in order to stay focused on my destination. Practice will ground me and allow my ambitions to take root and grow.

Chapter 6 is The Most Amazing Thing, about flow and bliss - about the experience of being open, inspired, and connected to myself and others. It's the switch that turns me on and makes me truly alive. "Attuning ... to this quality or feeling is a way to align with your creative output and to direct it."

I can recreate the experience of bliss I felt when teaching ongoing art classes - the high of being impactful to groups of kids, but not by trying to do THAT again. It is the feeling I want but not the exact situation. Chasing after Being an Art Teacher is not the correct approach; rather, I need to "crack open the door again to inspiration and flow".

Last week I did a brainstorm for new ways to access that feeling of bliss I get when I am opening minds and teaching skills, and satisfying my Needs for Inspiration and Transformation. I'd like to return to this often - maybe weekly. She calls it "thinking about and practicing the Most Amazing Thing."

2. Meditation and Evaluation Journal:

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

I begin by looking at my intentions log: 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. 

Next I review the priorities I set at the new moon, and write about what I've accomplished. I also write about the unfinished parts, and make a list of things that need attention.

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 need to Teach my grandsons with craft projects - it's not working. I need to make a shift to Offering Choices and Modeling.

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. Projects for the week:

Each week I plan the projects I will work on in the next week - one or two kid projects, one or two home projects, and one or two Unicorn projects (those that feed ME). This next week I will:

• Th: Start Love this Earth sign + Godzilla clay
• F: Sew sleeves for Earth Coat + neighbor screen
• S: Earth coat + Plan steppers and plantings!
• S: Butterflies + Earth Week plans
• M: Stamp printing
• T: Choices - Painting and stamping

Doing the smallest thing is a great way to make courageous creative work less frightening; also finding the "minimum effective dose", the amount of work that keeps me challenged and joyful, and if I keep at it will get me to the finish line on time.

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!