Full Red Moon and Raksha Bandhan

Tonight is the full Moon, called akupiu, the end of summer moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, and the Red moon by others, because it often appears reddish as it rises through the sultry haze of late summer - and in our valley, a sultry haze is the norm! One lovely (possibly Native American) explanation for the redness is that the moon is blushing after being kissed by the sun.

We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon.

In India, this is also the Festival of Raksha Bandhan, which means “knot of protection.” Traditionally, girls tie a braided thread called a rakhi around the wrist of each brother-- a symbol of a sister's love and prayers for her brother's health and happiness, and to remind him of his life-long vow to protect his sister. Now it is also common for girls to trade rakhis with sisters, and with friends.

Agenda for today:
1. Take a vision walk
2. Celebrate integrity

3. Make rakhis
4. Send love and prayers
5. Make Kayla Halwa (Banana fudge)

At the Ocean

It's true that nature can heal us. Walking on the beach is my medicine, which gives me the strength for reciprocity.

Agenda: 

1. Read "Present Moment Awareness"

2. Ponder about my breathing

3. Beach-combing

4. Visualization

Take a Pilgrimage

Today we are going to the ocean! It's been over a year since I've seen the ocean, and I need to take a pilgrimage to this holy place.

A pilgrim is a traveler, going to a place that is of special significance to a particular belief system. My belief is in the sacredness of all Nature, and I take rare pilgrimages to the oceans, the woods, and other holy places.

A pilgrimage is a journey of transformation; it's not something you do every weekend to "get away" - I don't believe it's good for Nature for everyone to recreate in it too often; the weekend camping trip is often just another way we belittle and damage Nature. No matter how careful you are to pack out what you pack in, you are still driving a vehicle on a road, tromping on fragile earth, and distressing the wildlife.

We take a great deal of comfort from being in nature, but what do we give in return? My Nature-Culture belief system causes me to shy away from USING Nature for personal transformation unless it's a transformation that favors Nature. My focus is on being mindful of Nature and listening for how I can better heal her, and our relationship. It's more like couples therapy, with the Earth as your better half.

So, when going to nature, I take it seriously. I plan to be reverent and pay attention- "listen" to nature with all my senses and seek to understand my next steps to help.

Agenda:

1. Read "Step Into Nature"

2. Review my pilgrimage plan

3. Documentation

Early August Garden

Summer is a season with three distinct phases in my valley, and August is clearly Mid-summer. It's often very hot and very dry, but the days are noticeably shorter. It's time to think about the winter garden.

Agenda:

1. August harvest

2. Preserving garlic

3. Onion Chutney

4. August garden tasks

5. Prepare for the winter garden

6. August planting

7. Prune my raspberries

First Quarter Moon of Early August

Last night was 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 quarter moon's energy to help me to discern my Truth and then act on it; this requires some discipline.

The ancient Stoic philosophers used discipline as a tool in their journey towards a life lived well. Epictetus listed three disciplines: Amor Fati, or the loving acceptance of one’s fate, which was for living in harmony with the nature of the universe as a whole; Hormê, or the impulse to ethical action, for living in harmony with humans; and Sunkatathesis, which is mindfulness, for living in harmony with our own essential nature, with reason and truthfulness in both thoughts and speech.

I long for better discipline - to give me stability and structure, and help me to be responsible; to allow me to keep promises to myself and to others, and maintain the integrity and self-control that I want; to empower me to grow and reach my dreams. But I also hope that this growth in discipline might lead to a transcendent state where I no longer rely on discipline because I love and understand myself enough to follow the right path naturally!

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

Lughnasa

Lughnasa (loo-na-sa) is a Celtic festival celebrated in early August, usually August 1st. It's called a cross-quarter day because it falls approximately midway between summer solstice and autumn equinox, marking the end of summer in the Celtic tradition, and the beginning of the harvesting season.

The name Lughnasa comes from Lugh, the Celtic God of harvests, crafts, and the lightening flash, and nasad, which was an assembly or gathering. The Lughnasad was a gathering to honor and appease Lugh, so he would hopefully not throw a summer storm temper-tantrum, and ruin the harvest.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal Queries
2. Make gingerbread

3. Arts and Crafts

4. Take a pause to enjoy the season

6. Nasad (gathering)