Summer Solstice and First Quarter Moon

The season is turning. Today the sun exerts its maximum energy on our part of the earth; the powers of outward expression are at their greatest, and the powers of inner contemplation are at their lowest.

And of course, just as we reach the point of maximum yang energy, yin energy is reborn and begins to gain strength: The next days will each be a little shorter again, until the winter solstice in December.

Tonight is also the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

I use this June quarter moon's energy to create patience: I will remember to pause and breathe often, to slow down my racing mind and enjoy the slower summer pace.

Agenda: 

1. Read "Intrinsic Hope"

2. Journal queries

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Make a New Solar Disk

5. Harvest herbs

6. Make Kanelbuller (Swedish Cinnamon buns)

7. Make flower crowns

8. Build a Solstice Fire

First Quarter Moon of Late April

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

I use this April quarter moon's energy to create defiance. I will inhabit the motto: "They tried to bury us; they didn't know we were seeds." (Dinos Christianopoulos).

Agenda: 

1. Read "The Achievement Habit"

2. Projects for the week

3. Journal queries

4. Make a full effort plan

First Quarter Moon and Navratri Part 3

Navratri continues for the final three nights. The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon. For these final three nights we honor and thank the Divine Mother as Saraswati, who is "the essence of self". Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

And Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

I use this March quarter moon's energy to create hope.

Agenda Today:

1. Morning meditation and mantra

2. Journal queries

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Add to the altar

5. Proaction and reciprocity plans

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 next 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

First Quarter Moon of Late February

Today is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action and full effort.

I use this late February quarter moon's energy to lean in to vigor and enthusiasm! Some strategies: Better diet, more water, movement and dance, sunlight, and visualization (wash negative energy away in a shower).

Agenda Today:

1. Devotions

2. Beingness 

3. Earth Action

4. Journal queries

5. Full effort for writing

6. Synergy and hope plans

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

First Quarter Moon of Late January

Today is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action and full effort.

I use this late January quarter moon's energy to lean in to love.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries

2. Read "Revolutionary Witchcraft"

3. Ongo  journal

4. Love cycle

5. Full effort for order

Third Quarter Moon of January and Nature-Culture Brainstorm

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning 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. This isn’t a moment for starting new projects but for finishing up old ones, making peace with the past, and preparing for a fresh start at the next new moon.

Agenda:

1. Ongo journal

2. Ritual for Release and Realignment

3. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

4. Bird and butterfly garden planning

5.

 Start a phenology journal

6. Days of Passion

First Quarter Moon at the End of October

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action and full effort. I use this late October quarter moon's energy to help me get organized for decisive action. 

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries
2. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook"

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans:

4. Make a full effort plan

Indigenous People's Day and Third Quarter Moon

Happy Indigenous People's Day! Some people celebrate the second Monday in October as Columbus Day, but many of us prefer to honor instead the people who were here in the Americas for centuries before Columbus "discovered" it. 

Many cities are finally making the name change official, adopting Indigenous People's Day to celebrate the people and their culture, and also to reflect on their ongoing struggles in this land. The celebration today includes powwows, drumming, dancing, Native American foods and crafts.

And today is the third Quarter moon. This waning 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. This isn’t a moment for starting new projects but for finishing up old ones, making peace with the past, and preparing for a fresh start at the next new moon.

Agenda:

1. Read "The Sweet Spot"
2. Fall Cleaning and Home projects

3. Pumpkin School plans

4.

 Ritual for Release and Realignment

5. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

6. Monthly journal brainstorm

7. A note about appropriation

Third Quarter Moon of September

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning 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. This isn’t a moment for starting new projects but for finishing up old ones, making peace with the past, and preparing for a fresh start at the next new moon. 

Agenda Today:

1. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook"

2. Spiritual growth goal

3. Renewal plans

4.

 Ritual for Release and Realignment

5. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

6. Monthly journal brainstorm

First Quarter Moon of August

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this end-of-August quarter moon's energy to help me to discern my Truth and then act on it; this requires some discipline.

Discernment is a deep process: It can feel like intuition, or a gut feeling. You might experience it as butterflies, or tingling on the back of the neck, or as a flash that takes the breath away. Some call it a guiding voice, or leading of the spirit. Sometimes it is quiet and subtle, and sometimes loud and clear - a flash of insight, or creative impulse, or sudden clarity, or a leading or itch to act on something you never thought of before.

And when your Inner Guide speaks to you with a message that seems foreign to how you normally think (maybe a rush of new hopefulness, or an urging to action), then it's hard to not credit it to a something outside yourself. 

Who's to say?

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Journal queries
3. Make a full effort plan

4. Evaluate my creativity habits:

5. Do the smallest thing

Third Quarter Moon of July

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning third quarter 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. This isn’t a moment for starting new projects but for finishing up old ones, making peace with the past, and preparing for a fresh start at the next new moon.

Agenda Today:

1. 

Read 

"Brainstorm"

2. 

Review my passion plan

3. Five days of passion

4. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

5. Monthly journal brainstorm

First Quarter Moon of Early July

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this early July quarter moon's energy to take the first steps toward my dreams. 

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Journal queries
3. Make a full effort plan

4. Proaction

5. Reciprocity plans

Third Quarter Moon of June

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning third quarter 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. This isn’t a moment for starting new projects but for finishing up old ones, making peace with the past, and preparing for a fresh start at the next new moon. 

Agenda Today:

1. 

Read 

"5 Resets"

2. 

Renewal plan

3. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

4. Ritual for Release and Realignment 

5. Monthly journal brainstorm

First Quarter moon for Synergy

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this May quarter moon's energy to create synergy with all my partners, and spark synergy within myself.

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Everyday Simplicity"

2. Journal queries
3. Make a full effort plan

Great Saturday and Third Quarter Moon

Today is Great Saturday or Holy Saturday, the day between Jesus' death and his resurrection. In the Church, it's celebrated with watchful expectation and funeral hymns.

I'm celebrating it with an extra Grandson Day of Fun, starting with the children's museum and lunch at the food court.

Today is also the third Quarter moon. This waning third quarter 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.

Agenda Today:

1. Renewal plan

2. Evaluation House

3. Monthly journal brainstorm

March Third Quarter Moon

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning third quarter 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.

Agenda Today:

1. Renewal plan

2. Evaluation House

3. Monthly journal brainstorm

4. Snail control

5. Planting onions and leeks

First Quarter Moon of Early March

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

I use this March quarter moon's energy to have discipline with my mind, moods, and cravings.

Agenda for today:

1. Read "Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance Workbook"

2. Journal Queries

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Make chewy granola bars

First Quarter Moon of February

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

I use this February quarter moon's energy to lean in to love.

Agenda for today:

1. Read "It's a Meaningful Life"

2. Journal Queries

3. Full effort for Love

4. Make a full effort plan