Third Quarter Moon of May (In the Garden)

Tonight is the waning Third Quarter moon of May. 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.

May is a month of flowering and growth. Today I will pause to consider where my growing edge is.

Agenda today:

Agenda: 

1. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

2. Ritual for Release and Realignment

3. May planting

4. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Meditation and Evaluation Journal:

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

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.

2. Ritual for Release and Realignment:

This phase of the moon is for releasing and cleansing. 

This month I want to release my need to Know the Future and Control it.

3. May planting:

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) grew wild hundreds of years ago wild in the Andes of western South America. The indigenous people cultivated them, eventually bringing the plant northward through Central America and into Mexico. When the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century, they found the inhabitants growing a food crop called "tomatl" in the native language.

Tomato is a nightshade plant, so avoid planting with other nightshades such as peppers, eggplants, and potatoes, as they are prone to many of the same pests and diseases. In fact, avoid planting nightshade vegetables in the same bed for three years if possible. Members of the brassica family will inhibit tomato growth.

• Space plants 18 - 36 inches apart. Give indeterminate varieties more room.
• Dig a trench, remove all but the top 5-7 leaves and plant horizontally. The plant will grow new roots from the stem to create a hardier and happier tomato plant.
• Be sure to keep them moist but not waterlogged; erratic watering causes the fruit to split and encourages blossom end rot.
• Also, remember to prune the suckers (branches that grow out of the joint of other branches) on my indeterminant tomatoes.

4. 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!