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SEASONAL MUSINGS~LUNAR REFLECTIONS~DAILY RITUALS

 

 

Seasonal Earth-cycles & Goddess Guides -- Fall 08

As cycling creatures ourselves, we women resonate powerfully with Nature’s cycles and the continual movement of the Wheel of the Year – the greatest Dark at Yuletide and the greatest Light at Midsummer, with moments of perfect balance on the Equinoxes. Then, halfway between the Solstices and Equinoxes fall the “cross-quarter” days -- February 2, May 1, August 2, and November 1. Observing these eight seasonal “hinges” affords us a unique opportunity to appreciate and adjust to the changes occurring around us and within us…

 

September 22nd – Fall Equinox

In cultures all over the world, the Autumnal Equinox, that perfect moment of balance between the light and the dark, is also celebrated as a time of abundance and thanksgiving. In China, the day is known as Chung Ch'iu and marks the end of the rice harvest. Succoth is a harvest holiday celebrated in the Jewish tradition by erecting a temporary outdoor dwelling decorated with fall vegetables. In ancient Rome, the Equinox coincided with the grape harvest and the infamous Festival of Dionysus, the God of Wine, when revelers partied until they dropped! And in the Anglo-Celtic countries, the festival of Harvest Home was most likely a precursor to the American Thanksgiving. At this time, the people took a respite from the hard work of the harvest; they danced and feasted, pressed cider and threshed the grain as a celebration of thanks for the abundance they had reaped.

Those of us who live in climates that offer tangible reminders of this change in seasonal energy (like brilliant-colored leaves and dropping temperatures) may have an easier time remembering that, just like nature around us, we too are cyclical creatures. We need periods of quiet to offset our busy-ness, flashes of inspired intuition together with linear rationality, moments (days?) of playfulness interspersed with our hard work. How will you create that balance in your lives this fall?

 

Fall Equinox Goddess Invocation

I welcome and honor Ma’at, Egyptian goddess of balance, truth, and harmony! In your scales, I place my body and spirit, my heart and mind. Teach me to honor the outer dance of light and dark And to cultivate my own sense of inner balance, Celebrating always the creative flow of chaos and order!

 

 

October 31 – Samhain, All-Hallow’s Eve

And as the daylight hours continue to diminish ever so slowly in the Northern Hemisphere, it seems that nature herself seems to be dying as well. The harvest has been brought in and animals prepare for a long winter's hibernation, slowing their heartbeats down to simulate death. In the wheel of the year, it is considered to be the time when the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is still celebrated with sugary skeletons and picnics on the gravesites of loved ones. The Dahomeys of West Africa invite the spirits of their ancestors to join them at a harvest festival called Setting the Table. Asian cultures honor their ancestors at this time as well – in Vietnam, it's called "Wandering Soul's Day"; in China, it's the Receiving Ancestors Festival; in Japan, it is Obon. In Old Europe, WiseWoman-Crone Hecate was honored on October 31st, when we journey with her to the underworld to learn the mysteries and powers of the deep self. How will you honor that journey in this season of growing dark?

 

 

 

Samhain Goddess Invocation
I welcome and honor Hecate, wise-woman guardian of the crossroads! Guide me into your depths, Holding me in the liminal space between the worlds. Teach me to listen to the voice of the ancestors That I may manifest their wisdom in my life and in the world.

 

 

Lunar Lessons & Reflections

New and Full moons are wonderful opportunities to focus, reflect and create, using the energies of the lunation. On the New Moon, the Sun and Moon are dancing their closest in the sky, with the Earth wiggling in between them; the Moon seems to disappear as it moves into the shadow of our own planet. This phase corresponds to growth and all new beginnings… our vessels are empty, waiting to be refilled. Full Moons occur when the Sun and Moon are opposite each other in the sky and the Moon is reflecting all of the Sun's light. We give birth to plans made and projects started since the New Moon, nurturing them to fulfillment and perfect realization. It is our time of greatest vitality and creativity.

 

New Moon in Libra – September 29th  

Are your significant relationships in synch, including the most important one… with your authentic self? This Venus-ruled Full Moon reminds us to connect with others, to seek and create harmony and beauty around us, and to bring balance to our inner and outer lives.

Reflection: Is there a work situation that needs mediation, or a friendship that’s gotten out of balance?

Full Moon in Aries – October 13th

Time to tap into your warrior spirit! Harnessing the energy of this fire-y moon means giving yourself permission to explore new vistas, set off on a long-delayed adventure, or take a leadership role somewhere in your life.

Reflection: Where do I need to be assertive? How can I best express my true passions? 

New Moon in Scorpio – October 28th  

Passions run deep with water-y, intense Scorpio energy -- sexually, emotionally and psychologically. Transformation is the keyword here, so just remember to tread lightly, both with yourself and others.

Reflection: What in my life must I release/purge in order to be reborn to the next stage?

 

Full Moon in Taurus – November 13th

Earth sign Taurus urges us to revel in our bodies and the sensuousness and beauty of Venus. It also reminds us to re-connect with nature and her cycles. Nurture your body with the fruits of the fall harvest -- enjoy a great meal with friends, a walk in the woods or an afternoon in your garden.

 

Reflection: What luscious form of self-care have I most neglected and need to reinstate?

 

New Moon in Sagittarius – November 27th

Sag triggers the adventurer in us, coaxing us to explore both our inner and outer landscapes. Take some time to contemplate the meaning of life, or if you're looking for action, visit some exotic, faraway place… even if it's from the comfort of your favorite chair!

 

Reflection: Where must I be more adventurous in my life…what new vistas am I being pulled to explore?

 

Full Moon in Gemini – December 12th

Gemini Full Moon always occurs in this holiday-laden time of year! Plan a party or visit some friends in the neighborhood. Or, for the out-of-towners, pick up the phone or write a long news-y email or letter – the key is to connect creatively.

 

Reflection: Who is one special person from my past that I’ve been meaning to re-connect with?

 

New Moon in Capricorn – December 27th

How perfect that grounding, stabilizing Capricorn energizes this pivotal, year-end time. Use its energy to anchor you during the holiday whirlwind and to begin to concretize your dreams and wishes for the New Year. 

 

Reflection: Where do I most need to create new structures and be more disciplined in order to manifest my goals in the New Year?

 

Daily Sacred Moments

To live a fully “spirited” life, we must make the commitment to bring the sacred into our everyday lives. One way to do this is to engage in simple daily rituals or symbolic actions that infuse even the most routine activities with a sense of the divine. Here are some suggestions for each day of the week, to be played with and used creatively!

Sunday

In many cultures, this day is one of rest and re-connecting with the divine. Regardless of your “normal” spiritual practice, take some extra time today to create sacred space in a very personal way… lighting a special candle, starting an altar filled with meaningful objects, listening to beautiful sacred music.

 

Monday

Let’s begin the week with a little creativity. At some point today, collect some colored pencils, markers, or crayons and sit down with some paper to create pictorial image of what you’d like to manifest this week. Perhaps in the form of a mandala, a simple line drawing, or a full-color scene…whatever you’re called to do.

 

Tuesday

Renew your own connection with the Earth today by including a good, earthy root vegetable in your lunch or dinner… carrots, parsnips, potatoes are easy ones. Allow the warmth of that connection to ground and center you.

 

Wednesday

It’s midweek and time to clear the cobwebs out! Take a brisk out-and-back walk and on the way out, leave behind all the “yuck” of the week. On the way back, contemplate all the positive events, people, and attitudes flowing in.

 

Thursday

Our sense of smell is the most evocative of all of our five senses – directly connected to the limbic system, the seat of our emotions and memories. Visit your local health food store and find an essential oil that moves, soothes, or energizes you and put a few drops on a tissue to carry with you throughout the day.

 

Friday

This is truly the “letting go” time of the year and today is definitely a good time to release accumulated gripes from the week so you can enjoy your weekend unencumbered. Write down all your complaints, grievances, and protests on a big piece of paper, then set it on fire over the kitchen sink and watch them go up in smoke!

 

Saturday

Ahhh…what better way to soak away the stress of the week than to treat yourself to a nourishing, hot bath. Add some Dead Sea salts to really purify and renew your body and spirit.

 

References:

Celestially Auspicious Occasions -- Seasons, Cycles, and Celebrations by Donna Henes