Third Quarter Moon of July

Tonight is the waning Third Quarter moon of July. 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.

July is a month of passion, courage, and stretching. Today I will pause to consider what I'm stretching towards.

Tuesday is my day to look at my social and emotional self, and make an effort to shift my perspectives around how I view and treat the people in my life.

Agenda:

1. Read "How to Deal with Anger"

2. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

3. Ritual for Release and Realignment

4. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Read "How to Deal with Anger":

I'm reading this book by Isabel Clarke (2016) that I got at Powells, because after my last explosion I decided I won't reach equanimity without managing my anger. Part 1 is Support, and Chapter 2 is The Anger Trap.

All our emotions are here to help manage relationships. My anger is usually here because I feel someone isn't being fair to me. I can use my anger to give me the courage to change my habit of inarticulate rage. Feeling under threat is a common human experience. 

Basically, I need to create a Wise Mind that can negotiate with my emotions and my reasonableness, listen to both sides, and keep my emotions in check. This is where Dialectic Therapy helps, because it understands that there are always two sides to a story. My inner life is being pulled in two directions; I've been trying to control the "bad" part, but the trick is to see the good in both parts and find a wise balance.

What changes do I notice in my body when I start to get angry?

1. Jaw clenching, frowny face.
2. Tension in neck, arms, fists.
3. Voice rises to a higher pitch.

2. Attention habit:

Yesterday I made a renewal plan for the month. The two habits I want to work on this week are water and attention, as in awareness of my environment, and better listening to the people around me. I hope to replace some of my zone-out-on-the-phone time with attention activities, such as conversation, reading together, watering the garden, or a short walk.

Maybe I need to have a phone timer app?

3. Meditation and Evaluation Journal:

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

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.

4. Ritual for Release and Realignment:

This phase of the moon is for releasing and cleansing. This month I want to release my angry, reactive behavior, once and for all and invite Wise Equanimity.

I want a simple ceremony I can do anytime:

1. Write down the thing(s) I want to release: Emotions, habits, thoughts.
2. Read my list out loud, then burn it, saying:  “I release what no longer serves me. I welcome clarity and healing.”

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!