Setting Intentions on the New Moon - The Artful Life Moon Circle

New Moon by Maxfield Parrish

Hello Beautiful,
It's moon circle time again! On the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:
Anyone is welcome to join the Moon  Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

This month's New Moon was also an eclipse. Eclipses create a special energy, and a special opportunity  to integrate the conscious (sun) with the unconscious (moon) or the life-force and intellect (sun) with the spirit and emotions (moon.) What does this mean for setting your New Moon intentions? It means this is a great time to work with old ingrained unconscious habit patterns and really get some movement.

What do you need to bring out into the light? 

What unhealthy habit is ready to leave your life?

I know this can be scary stuff. But I can encourage you to take this opportunity to begin, compassionately, to dislodge the grip of that addiction, or notice those little acts of self-sabotage, or start to loosen your ties to that not so nurturing relationship. You know what you need to do. With gentle, loving care, and without self-condemnation, you can do it!

If it helps, you can share your intention, or even your desire to have an intention, here in the comments. Putting it out into the world builds positive momentum.

Things To Do on the Full Moon - Artful Life Moon Circle Returns!

The Goddess Venus, from a fresco at Pompeii, which I was blessed to see in 2001. This fresco was part of  a fairly modest urban home, under an open colonnade, facing what was once a courtyard garden. Talk about an artful life!

Hello Beautiful,
It's moon circle time again! On the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:
Anyone is welcome to join the Moon  Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

The May 2011 Full Moon:
From Anne Ortelee, who (in case you haven't heard) is my fave astrologer:

"We have the most fertile Full Moon of the year, the Scorpio Full Moon, Tuesday May 17, which is simply great for making babies, making love, planting things and encouraging things to take root and grow."

So there is your brief, beautiful!  It's a nice one, isn't it? Now is the time to plant the seeds for all those wishes, dreams, projects, and desires that have lain dormant over this long winter.

Not ready for the launch? Even just setting a strong heart-intention for what you want is a great way to sow seeds. All you have to do is conjure up your heart's desire, relax, and really allow yourself to FEEL it in your body. Say the words, then feel it in your body. You've sown the seed.

Can you share? I'd love to hear what seeds you want to sow this Moon...

Supermoon - The Artful Life Moon Circle

Tonight's Supermoon rising over Hornby Island

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

Hello Beautiful,

It's moon circle time again! On the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:
Anyone is welcome to join the Moon  Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

This March Full Moon 
This month's Full Moon in Virgo is a special one. It's called a Perigee Moon, or Supermoon, because it is as close to the Earth as it ever gets in its orbit. It looks extra big and bright, pulls the tides a bit higher, and possibly affects the weather, both meteorological and seismic.

My sweetie and I have just come in from the beach. We got there a bit before sunset and stayed til the moon was well up. It was cold, but so worth it... it was very still, the water was lapping quietly, a few seals popped their heads up to have a look around. A great blue heron flew over just after sunset. The air was rich with woodsmoke and marine smells. Our feet got cold waiting for the moon.

Finally the clouds over Hornby Island started to glow, then the thin, fire-bright edge of the moon crested the trees. She was huge! And so bright! We watched her all the way up, basked in the moonbeams for awhile, then came home to shake off the cold in front of the fire.

Today while reading about this special moon, I came across this simple but beautiful idea of the symbolic activity of the Full Moon in our lives:

Imagine the Sun as our conscious mind & rational awareness, and the Earth as our mundane life and activities. In our ordinary daily life, the Sun illuminates the Earth - our rational mind illuminating our mundane activities. Now imagine the Moon as our unconscious mind, our spiritual and emotional awareness. During the Full Moon, this light suddenly illuminates the Earth - symbolically, this is a rare opportunity to see our mundane lives in the strange light of non-rational awareness.

Tonight's big, bright, rare moon is an extra special opportunity. Can we allow our spiritual awareness to brightly illuminate our mundane lives for a moment? What would look different in your ordinary, daily existence if you allowed yourself to look at it in a different light? What would be illuminated? What would you allow yourself to know?

New Moon in Pisces - The Artful Life Moon Circle

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

Hello Beautiful,

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

This March New Moon:
Astrologically speaking, the time we are moving through right now is all about letting go, releasing, clearing the ground, endings that make way for new beginnings. Have you noticed?

The New Moon is such a wonderful time to set clear intentions about what you want to release and clear out of your life. Sometimes, when it's time to let go, we are ready, so ready to move on, and the releasing just feels good. Sometimes, our lives require us to let go before we feel ready, and the letting go is hard, and sad. What are you being asked to let go of in your life right now, and how does it feel?

You can take advantage of the beautiful Piscean energy of this moon, and honour yourself with these cleansing activities:

• adorn your altar with blue and white candles, light them with your intention to release whatever is holding you back.
• treat yourself to a spa afternoon that involves lots of healing, quiet, watery treatments (seaweed wrap and salt bath?)
• create your own healing waters at home with a candle-lit sea salt bath followed by meditation.
• enjoy solitude and healing music.
• write out your feelings about what you're letting go of right now, and cry if you need to.
• attend a restorative yoga class
• gather with friends and share a releasing ritual.

 Wishing you peace and purity - and letting you know you are welcome to share your New Moon intentions in the comments.

what to do on the full moon - the artful life moon circle returns!

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

Hello Beautiful,

It's moon circle time again! It's been a while since we met under the light of the Full Moon, and I've missed it! So once again, on the Artful Life we'll be meeting at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

This February Full Moon
Earlier this evening I peeked out the window in hopes of seeing some Aurora Borealis as promised due to the solar flares. Instead, I saw the view above; moon and stars, clouds and trees, even a little moon-rainbow. Breathtaking! Out I went with my camera, into the frosty grass, much to Chloe's chagrin (she likes to keep her feet warm.)

Tonight's moon is bright and beautiful. And she's keeping me awake 'til all hours. Usually, the full moon asks us,

• what are you bringing to fruition? 
• what are you celebrating? 
• what, large or small, has reached it's culmination in your life?

This full moon is asking us "what do you need to release?"

Since October, every Full Moon has been at the last degree of the sign, indicating we are letting go.  On this Leo Full Moon, release things that you used to love that only bring you sadness now. Let the love you have release into the heavens to go create and grow in abundance. 

That's from my favourite astrologer, Anne Ortelee .

So, beautiful, what needs to go? What is that thing that you used to love, that has been weighing on your heart lately, feeling a little sad and sore? Can you let it go?

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon!

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

 

Hello Beautiful!

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

I love New Moon! To me it's like a mini-New Year's every month. It's a chance to begin a-new, reset the cycle, plant seeds, plant goals, be fresh. One night it's all in darkness; the next night there's this delicate sliver of silver, just a thread in the twilight, setting with the setting sun. It always takes my breath away. I get this little surge of hope, an affirmation that it is always possible to begin again, that we all, always, have a chance at a clean slate. I love that magic! It's a time for cleansing, renewal, setting intentions, and beginning anything to do with abundance, the emotions, etc.. Do you want something to increase? Then take steps towards it, symbolic and practical, on the new moon. Want some specific advice about how to set intentions on the New Moon? Read this post.

Powerful Venus

In researching the meaning of this month's New Moon, I came across these words from astrologer Lynn Hayes. (You can read the whole article here.)

Libra is ruled by Venus, and Venus is quite powerful right now since it's virtually stationary as it prepares to change direction to turn retrograde.  With four planets in Libra, and Venus stationary, we are seeing the more powerful aspect of the Goddess of Love.  I have always found it interesting that the truly ancient cultures (Babylonia, Sumeria, ancient India) have much more powerful representations of the goddess of love and sexuality than the Venus of Roman patriarchal culture.  Ishtar, Astarte, Ashtoreth, Innana - these were powerful ladies that instilled awe and even fear into the populace.  Venus has become a bit of a cartoon character in some circles - the Playboy Bunny of the zodiac.  But the instinct for love and attachment is one of the most primal archetypes in human experience, and it is this archetype that is at play in today's New Moon. 

Because of certain aspects of the planet Venus right now, this month's New Moon is kind of a big deal - especially in the places in your life that have to do with attachments and patterns regarding love and money. Wow. I think today is a really excellent time to clear some space for yourself to be in solitude, maybe in nature, under a big sky and near water. Use this time for prayer and meditation. Allow any inner wisdom to rise up. Now is the moment to acknowledge any secrets you may have been keeping from yourself, or truths you have known deep down but hesitate to acknowledge. This is a great time to break old patterns.

One last thing: I recently discovered this weekly podcast from New York astrologer Anne Ortelee. I've found it to be a really valuable resource.

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! 

If this is your first Moon Circle, read this Moon Circle post to find out what it's all about. Check out all the Artful Life Moon Circles here.

What patterns are you ready to break? Where do you need to see the truth in your life? Any intentions regarding love or money? (ha!) Set your intention now, by joining our comments circle.

p.s. You are welcome to post your intentions anytime during the waxing (increasing) moon - that is for the next two weeks. The most powerful time in the next two days.

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon Magic!

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

 

Hello Beautiful!

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

I love New Moon! To me it's like a mini-New Year's every month. It's a chance to begin a-new, reset the cycle, plant seeds, plant goals, be fresh. One night it's all in darkness; the next night there's this delicate sliver of silver, just a thread in the twilight, setting with the setting sun. It always takes my breath away. I get this little surge of hope, an affirmation that it is always possible to begin again, that we all, always, have a chance at a clean slate. I love that magic! It's a time for cleansing, renewal, setting intentions, and beginning anything to do with abundance, the emotions, etc.. Do you want something to increase? Then take steps towards it, symbolic and practical, on the new moon. Want some specific advice about how to set intentions on the New Moon? Read this post.

Some Folk Magic for the New Moon

A Romany verse for greeting the New Moon:

Here is the New Moon,
Welcome Moon,
The New Moon has arrived!


Be lucky for me, Moon,
Leave me rich and prosperous.


Leave us with abundance
Leave us with good health
Leave us with love!

A Little Love Spell for New Moon

When you first catch sight of the new moon, spin clockwise on one foot saying "Moon! Twist (name the object of your love) around me just like I'm twisting around you!"

Cut your hair on the New Moon (but not the dark moon just before!) for extra nice growth in the coming month!

*the above folk magic was gleaned from The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells.

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! 

If this is your first Moon Circle, read this Moon Circle post to find out what it's all about. Check out all the Artful Life Moon Circles here.

The new moon this month is in the sign of Virgo, so set intentions or cast wishes regarding your health and self-care, or perhaps about serving others, or about spending time alone, in retreat and solitude. Set your intention now, by joining our comments circle!

p.s. You are welcome to post your intentions anytime during the waxing (increasing) moon - that is for the next two weeks!
p.p.s. Do you want more moon magic? Become part of the the Artful Women's Magic Moon Circle, coming soon!

Artful Life Moon Circle - Harness the Power and Magic of the Full Moon

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

 

Hello Beautiful Artful Women!

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

 How to Work With the Full Moon Energy

I live for those moments when the beauty of the world takes my breath away - moments like seeing a big yellow moon rising over lavender grey water at sunset. The full moon is the high point of the lunar cycle, equivalent to that little moment after we take a deep breath, before we exhale... now is the time to stop mindfully, and look around you to see what is coming to maturity in your life. Are there some creative successes for which you need to acknowledge yourself? Are there any bad habits that have crept up on you & taken hold? What is ripening? What is gaining momentum? What has become of that intention you set at the New Moon? Some things may need some nurturing to grow further. Some things may need to be weeded out so those good things can grow! Full moon energy lasts for three days - maybe take some time during these three days to sit down with your journal (at twilight?) and ask yourself that question "what is coming to fruition in my life?" Include the good and the not so good. What are your next steps? The energy of completion (fullness) is followed immediately by the energy of decrease (waning - a cosmic exhale) - so use the next two weeks for shedding what doesn't work. Clean closets, break habits, start a diet, be less busy, undo tangles of all kinds. Look honestly at what needs to go - and you'll be ready for the freshness of the next New Moon!

Last but not least, anytime during the three days of the full moon is a great time to meet with friends, celebrate, share, and set intentions. What could be lovelier than a circle of women and friends meeting under the full moon?

What's Special About This August Full Moon

The August 2010 full moon is in Pisces;  watery, creative, dreamy, deep - playing the line between deep truth and dangerous delusion. So, a dreamy and dramatic full moon. Go for a night swim, make love, write poetry, confess your deepest desires to someone you trust. Remember and record your dreams. Engage in spiritual pursuits. Don't dangerously overindulge in... anything! Surrender, enjoy, but be cautious and try to keep the frontier between discovery and delusion in your sights!

What I Did to Celebrate

It was well on into the evening when I finished putting together all of the above post. I'd been sitting at the computer for most of the day, even skipping my (and Chloe's) daily walk, choosing work instead. I poured a glass of wine and sat down with my sweetie for some dinner (raw "lasagne" and roasted sweet potatoes - YUM!!!). After, we cuddled up in our bed-sanctuary with another glass of wine and turned on the TV. Outside, the gorgeous northern summer evening was in full swing, complete with pink-amber twilight clouds and the cry of Canada geese. "Do you want to walk down to the beach?" he said. Well, I didn't, really. I was tired, and comfortable. The evening looked perfectly pretty from the window. But I'm learning - I'm learning what works, and what is good in life, so I said yes.

At the beach, the twilight was stretching out gloriously (here above the 49th parallel the dawns and twilights are magically, deliciously long and slow...). Silver pinky grey clouds were strewn about the sky, their smoky yellow edges in the southeast suggested the hidden Lady Moon. It was quiet, and warm, with just a few small black birds celebrating by skimming low over the glossy silver barely undulating water. The tide was full and the beach was empty.  We were alone. We walked quietly north, listening to the gentle swish of the softly moving swell. The sea looked delectable. It was still light enough to see through the clear water to the pebbled bottom; it was warm, it was still. I couldn't resist. Off came sweater, jeans, and skivvies, and I ran into the embrace of mother ocean. I revelled. I floated. I breathed in the briny air and watched the moonwashed clouds. Exquisite! And one big reason it was SOOO exquisite is, I wasn't always that woman. I just wasn't always the woman who would throw off her clothes and run into the sea. I was uncertain, and nervous, and cold; I was embarassed, and worried, and shy. I was scared of jellyfish, and the dark, and of my own self. I longed to be that woman, but I just wasn't her. These days are different. These days, somehow, I am finding it so easy to be her - to be that woman who feels safe enough and free enough to drop everything and run into the warm ocean, that woman who knows the world is there for her, there to rise up to meet her eager joy. So this full moon, I celebrate being that woman. My wish for you is that you, too, can find yourself becoming the woman you always wanted to be, and that whatever your version of running freely into the sea is, you will do it, and celebrate.

How You Can Join the Moon Circle

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this Moon Circle post to find out what it's all about. I've made a gift for you, a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases. Check out all the Artful Life Moon Circles here. To participate in the Moon Circle, just check in on the comments below. Tell us what you are doing this full moon. How are you celebrating? What are you dreaming of? What is coming to fruition in your life? What would you like to release and let go of in the time of the waning moon? What support would you like from the circle? We would love to hear your voice.

P.S. Something exciting is coming soon... more moon circle magic... stay tuned....

Artful Life Moon Circle - How to Set New Moon Intentions

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

 

Hello Beautiful Artful Women!

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

I love New Moon! To me it's like a mini-New Year's every month. It's a chance to begin a-new, reset the cycle, plant seeds, plant goals, be fresh. One night it's all in darkness; the next night there's this delicate sliver of silver, just a thread in the twilight, setting with the setting sun. It always takes my breath away. I get this little surge of hope, an affirmation that it is always possible to begin again, that we all, always, have a chance at a clean slate. I love that magic! It's a time for cleansing, renewal, setting intentions, and beginning anything to do with abundance, the emotions, etc.. Do you want something to increase? Then take steps towards it, symbolic and practical, on the new moon.

How to Set New Moon Intentions

•  choose an area of your life where you want to see increase. do you want your veggie garden to grow? do you need more clients, more income, more money? are you yearning to get pregnant or adopt? do you need more time for yourself, more love, more peace of mind, more sleep?
•  write down your intention; be clear, specific, and simple. "My intention is to grow my client list by 5 clients this month" "My intention is to grow enormous dahlias" 
• share your intention with at least one other person (share it here in the comments, we would love to see it!)
• take some time on New Moon Day to seed your intention. you can be formal or casual, whatever feels most natural to you. you can create a little ritual, light a candle, do whatever you do to connect with Spirit - the most important thing is to open your heart, and hold your intention.
• listen to your intuition. does your ritual feel awkward? what is your heart really telling you? is this the right intention for you now? be willing to let go, change your focus, revise your desires, and listen to your heart-wisdom.
• ask for peace.
• as the month progresses, watch the moon, and connect your heart with the power of the waxing light.

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this Moon Circle post to find out what it's all about. I've made a gift for you, a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases. Check out all the Artful Life Moon Circles here.

The new moon this month is in the sign of Leo, so set intentions regarding your leadership and personal drive, or perhaps about playfulness, fun, and sociability. Set your intention now, by joining our comments circle!

P.S. Never forget you are beautiful and worthy.
P.P.S. Do you want more moon magic? Become part of the the Artful Women's Magic Moon Circle!

Artful Life Moon Circle - Full Moon Check In

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles. Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

March Full Moon
The full moon is the time to celebrate what has come to fruition recently in your life, and to enjoy and take pleasure in the manifestations of fullness and ripeness in your life. So what is quickening, opening, blooming, and awakening this moon in your life? What has become of your new moon intention? And, what are you ready to release as the moon wanes? Let the circle hear from you!

As I type I am looking out on to the long Spring twilight. The edge of our woods is a haze of pale green; the alders are just opening their tiny new leaves, the daffodils are open, bright and regal at their feet. At this time of the evening the peacocks call, long echoing calls. Not everyone enjoys their strange cries, but to me they are the essence of romance; I think of walled palaces and gardens, in ancient India or Persia. I love my special place in the world so much - for me the lesson of this moon (my new moon intention had to do with abundance) has been about acceptance. Sometimes it is a greater challenge to accept goodness and abundance than to accept challenge or unpleasantness. When we open our hearts to the fullness of what we have, we must confront the fear of loss. So my continuing intention for this moon is to embrace what I love with gratitude, and gently release the fear.

What is this moon for you?

Artful Life Moon Circle - Full Moon Check In

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles. Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

February Full Moon
The full moon is the time to celebrate what has come to fruition recently in your life, and to enjoy and take pleasure in the manifestations of fullness and ripeness in your life. This moon is a special one every year on our island; it is usually on this late winter moon that the herring spawn, bringing the Strait alive with barking seals, circling eagles, chattering shorebirds, diving gulls, and of course fishing boats. This exciting spectacle tells us that Spring really is coming. I can lie in bed at night and hear the seals barking and the frogs beginning to sing after the long, silent winter. I love it.

So what is quickening, opening, blooming, and awakening this moon in your life? What has become of your new moon intention? And, what are you ready to release as the moon wanes? Let the circle hear from you!

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon!

Happy New Moon, and Lunar New Year (and Valentine's Day)!

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles. Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

February New Moon Intentions & A Confession
So we know, the new moon is an excellent time to set intentions for the coming month and harness the energy of increase in our lives. The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time to clean the slate, pay debts of all kinds (not just financial) and a chance to start over as your very best self. Whew! Like last month's eclipse new moon, this moon is a powerful opportunity for movement and change. I'm taking it on - offer me your support on this one sisters! - and stepping up to begin tinkering with one of my Big Issues. You know the one, right? We all have them. The one that gives you an oogy feeling in your stomach and makes you want to squint your eyes and hurry up and do something - anything - distracting. So here's my big confession: I have a really hard time meeting deadlines and communicating about meeting deadlines. It doesn't really look so bad when I spell it out like that, but believe me, it is bad, and it causes no end of badness and tangles in my life. So, I didn't really mean to step up to my Big Issue, the universe kind of stepped me up. My wonderful life coach asked my on Thursday what I might like to work on in the next little while (actually I'm pretty sure she didn't say "work on" because she doesn't really say that, but you get the idea...) and I said "Well, I think I'd like to work on my issue with meeting deadlines and communicating about meeting deadlines." I have no idea why I would say that. It isn't true. I really, really don't want to work on this. But now it's too late. Have you ever noticed what happens when you say, even idley, "Gee, maybe its time for me to work on Issue X?" Suddenly, stuff about Issue X is coming out of the woodwork, and it seems like your whole life centres on Issue X and oh my gosh how did you ever go so long without dealing with Issue X? So that's where I am. In the three days since I made that ambitious statement to my coach, I have had the very useful opportunity to deal with no less than four people in my life (from all areas of my life) who have each said in their own way "It's really unacceptable that it's taken you so long to do such-and-such" and my usual response of "Gee, I'm sorry, I really don't know what's wrong with me" suddenly just seems so... lame. I'm still sorry, but I do know what's wrong with me, though I may never know why, and this moon, my intention is to make a valiant effort to begin to change this behaviour. And by that, I mean specifically that I will make every effort to meet my deadlines, and when I can't, to communicate promptly and openly with those involved. Should be simple, right? I have a few strategies up my sleeve; most of them involve courage and good communication, so in a way this post is a beginning. Wish me courage!

So now, to you... what big or little issue is the universe stepping you up to? Is there one cringeworthy thing you could bring yourself to begin on, with the support of this circle? Please share!

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon!

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles. Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

New Moon in Capricorn, January 2010
If you've been following the astrological weather at all, you'll know that we're going through some intense and interesting planetary stuff right now! This new Moon marks the second eclipse of the month, an annular solar eclipse, which together with the lunar eclipse 14 days ago on the full moon, forms the bookend to the powerful and transformative time we've just been through. These are biggies! This New Moon Eclipse will bring opportunities to rebuild from the foundations. January is often a time when we re-assess and strive to change ingrained patterns - this year the planets are really supporting us in this endeavor! I encourage you to do some googling around on astrology sites and read about the importance of these eclipses.

What I want to focus on here, as usual, is setting positive intention for the coming month. Did you set intentions for the New Year? Is there one thing you can focus on this moon, something that will bring a greater sense of well being & secure foundations to your life? If an eclipse represents a time of transformation, moving through a doorway, what doorway is waiting for you to walk through? As always, you are welcome to share your New Moon thoughts and intentions here.

Artful Life Moon Circle - Full Moon Check In

What is the Artful Life Moon Circle? To find out and join our circle, read this post.

Such an extra special full moon this time around! This full moon in Cancer fell on New Year's Eve, was a "blue moon," and there was a lunar eclipse! This coincidence of events make it an ideal time to embrace change and set intentions, especially in our inner, emotional lives, and in our home life. The lunar eclipse always marks an important inner shift, often reflected in outer changes during the month around the eclipse. We can best use the powerful eclipse energy by paying special attention to our intuition (what shifts do we know we deeply need?), and to the subtle shifts in energy around us (what changes do we sense on the horizon?) If we can be deeply honest with ourselves, we will be much more able to ride the energy of change, and practice acceptance. What is shifting in your world? What support do you need now to face changes with grace? How can you access that support? What are your instincts telling you? You can share some of your responses here in the comments, and allow the moon circle to support you!!! Happy Full Moon, Happy New Year, and I'm wishing you grace and well-being through all the moons of 2010!

Artful Reminder:



I'm giving away one of these sweet leafy ceramic dishes to one reader on january 11. To be entered in the giveaway, just go to this post and leave a comment.

Artful Life Moon Circle - Full Moon Check In

photo from www.nightpath.org

I know, I know - I haven't checked in with the moon or this moon circle for a couple of months. I even missed a few moons with my face-to-face moon circle. But we were back together on Tuesday night, G's house was clean and serene as always. I love her clay coloured walls, soft leather furniture, vivid textiles on the walls, smell of incense, beeswax candles, warm woodstove, gentle feminine atmosphere. We snuggled in to the big soft sofas, toasted with red wine, then started spilling. It seems the last six weeks have been thick with experience, some of it really, really challenging. The strength of women amazes me. Between us we had horrible court appearances, financial crises, deaths, seriously ill spouses, work dramas, child dramas, and the usual repertoire of broken dryers, broken cars, needy children, and sundry messes to deal with. Ironically the circle was cut short by a minor child emergency, just as the mother was explaining how she was finally beginning to understand Margaret Atwood's idea of The Edible Woman. Ha! So in the (now waning) fullness of this moon, I just want to take the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the fullness of our lives, and wish us all the fullness of our strength and powers to live through it all with joy and courage!! If you'd like, I'd be honoured if you'd share in the comments what your biggest challenge of this moon has been, and how you've met it. Happy Full Moon!

Artful Life Moon Circle - Full Moon Check In

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles. Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

October Full Moon Check In:

The moonrise last night was stunning. We were driving home along the coastal road; over the mountains, the sky was a brilliant pearl blue scattered with tiny poufs of grey cloud, their undersides glowing first with pink and then with unearthly purple red. The moon rose huge and brilliant white over the ocean. This big breathtaking moon seemed just right for me; this last cycle has been so big! After a few months of feeling stuck, or at least slowed down in my journey, the last two weeks have felt like a real growth spurt - a reminder that the trajectory of personal growth is not a steady, predictable line, but more like a beautifully complex spiral pattern, full of repetitions and apparent setbacks, but also mysterious leaps and moments of giddy acceleration. The intention I set at New Moon was to allow myself to accept, receive, ask for and recognize support. I am awed and grateful for the many, many opportunities I've had in the last two weeks to feel and be supported by the universe!

On the New Moon, we expressed intentions to RECEIVE, RESTORE, BE AWARE, STRETCH OUR BOUNDARIES, and SEW SEEDS OF COMMUNITY. How has this cycle been for you? How did those intentions manifest, or fail to manifest? What does your journey of growth feel like right now? Are you gritting your teeth waiting for something, anything, to shift, or are you hanging on for dear life? Can you remember to look at the big pattern? What are you ready to release, what can dwindle in the next two weeks as the moon wanes? Where is the magic in your life right now? Tell us!

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon!

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles. Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

In brief, here's how it works: on each New and Full Moon days, I will be posting my intentions for the coming moon phase. Then I will invite you to leave a comment, with your own intentions and reflections. Writing your intentions and sharing them with others will help keep you accountable to yourself, and you'll have the benefit of all the yummy energy and encouragement from the other artful women in the circle, not to mention the moon magic. In general, the New Moon is a great opportunity for new beginnings and goal setting, so you might want to set an intention for something you want to INCREASE or GROW as the moon waxes. The Full Moon is an opportunity to reflect on this growth, and to set an intention for something you would like to DECREASE or RELEASE from your life as the moon wanes. Questions? E-mail me - bbsimons@telus.net.

So welcome to the September New Moon!
What is it that wants to grow in your life over the next month? Where do you need the energy of increase in your life? This New Moon, my keyword is support. A change that I want to invite into my life this month is allowing myself to accept, receive, ask for and recognize support. This Fall I am embarking on a study of Restorative Yoga; eventually I want to integrate this powerful and healing practice into my teaching of dance & creativity. For now I am taking classes and studying. In Restorative Yoga, all poses are supported - literally supported by props, so the body can relax and surrender. This morning in class I had a wonderful AHA moment - about how perfect it is that I should be drawn to this discipline just now in my life - because what I need most is to learn to surrender to the support that is around me. I believe many of us struggle in this way - we value our independence, we cultivate strength, we strive for autonomy. These are valuable qualities, but if we forget to temper them with cooperation, collaboration, gentleness, and acceptance of our vulnerabilities, we suffer from stress, anxiety, and sometimes loneliness. I am hoping that through my yoga practice I will be able to access the wisdom of my body, which already knows how to surrender and accept support. I hope this wisdom will spill over into all areas of my life. Accepting support is not only about allowing other people to help us and give to us, but also about recognizing that life, nature, and our deepest selves are always supporting us. You know those moments in the water when you just really let go and allow yourself to float, just really surrender to the ocean and float? It feels so good, to be so fully supported, by something so deep and vast and powerful. I'm starting to see that life can hold more of those moments. Cultivating those moments begins with allowing support. So my intention this moon is to allow myself to accept, receive, ask for and recognize support.

Please share your own New Moon intentions here in the comments; join the moon magic! I would be honoured to have you here in the circle.

Here is my view of the full moon. Can you see her?

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon!

Welcome back to the Moon Circle! I love New Moon days, my monthly opportunity to start fresh. Hosting this circle has already been a powerful experience for me; making the commitment to be here for you has allowed me to also be here for myself and commit to the process of intention setting. It's good.

Last month my intention was to begin to joyfully and consistently create sanctuary in my surroundings........ and watch what other gifts and lessons doing this might bring into my life.
How did that go for me? Well, my house is much shinier and more peaceful. And I've had some real insights into the reasons I held on so long to dis/order. And I have a manageable routine in place for continuing to make and keep my home shiny and sacred. All of that feels really good, and maybe what feels the best is that I kept an important commitment to myself by following through with my intention.

How did you do with your intention last month? I'd love to hear about your experience here in the comments. I believe your experience is valuable, whether it is the contentment of having kept that promise to yourself, or whether it is the frustration and disappointment of having fallen short of your aspiration. What is valuable is what really happened, and what you have learned from it. If your original intention was a good fit for your life now, if it was specific, measurable, and manageable, chances are you followed through with it. If you weren't able to follow through, take a look at the questions here and see what insight you can gain to make this month's intention workable:

• did you try to do too much too fast? this moon, think baby steps.
  
• were you vague? (ie "My intention is to get organized" wouldn't have worked for me last month!) this moon, try to keep your intention specific and measurable so you can measure your success.
• did you do an intuition check? this moon, take a moment to check in with heart and gut and see if your intention really feels like the right thing for you now.
  

My intention this moon flows out of last moon's intention. I want to continue to work with the theme of bringing gentle order & creating sanctuary; I'll continue to focus on my home, but my special intention for this month is to re-commit to the physical practices that I know support my well being. I have to be careful here to follow my own advice and not overcommit! What I believe I can manage is this: 15 minute meditation daily, at least 20 minutes of dance or yoga at least 4 times a week, and daily attention to mindful eating - that is, being aware of my food choices. My hope is to establish a manageable rhythm that is something I can maintain consistently. What I have noticed is for years now I pick up these important practices for months at a time, then drop them for months, pick them up, drop them, pick them up... so my New Moon intention is not so much about the practices themselves, but about finding a way to make them a consistent and ongoing part of my daily life. I think I can gain valuable self-insight from attempting this, because the picking-up-and-dropping pattern is a big sticky pattern in many areas of my life.

Now, to you! Take as much space as you want in the comments, anytime over the next few days, and share insights gained from last moon plus this moon's intention - there is power in this circle of women under the moon! Let's reach for it!

Full Moon Check-In

How have the last two weeks been for you? What have you noticed about the intention you set at New Moon? Now is the time to see what has come of those thoughts and wishes, and ask yourself what else you want and need. Is there anything you want to let go of, release, or give up in the coming phase? Will this release help with your intention?

My own intention this month came from a deep longing that has been with me for a while - the longing for sanctuary. My life is full and rich, but the qualities of ease and order have eluded me. And I want those qualities in my life! I simplified and grounded my intention with the decision to bring physical order and routine to some areas of my home. This has been going really well! Little by little I have been clearing and cleaning, bringing my intention for serene sanctuary to the areas I'm working on. It's been interesting to notice my resistance to routine and ponder where that comes from. It's been fun to bring some magic and play to mundane chores: I started mixing my own non-toxic cleaning supplies and scenting them with wonderful essential oils; I researched the energies of different stones and then got some rose quartz, amethyst and citrine to place in my newly shiny bedroom... it helps so much to bring in play!

My moon group met and celebrated. I made a small batch of Margaritas with fresh organic strawberries; we sat on the deck with a view of the water and sipped them and talked and talked about what we wanted to release from our lives. We walked down to the deserted beach and swam in the twilight moonrise. Beautiful. I asked to release disorder. This will be outwardly reflected in my continuing quest for a home sanctuary... but even as I said it, I realized the disorder I really need and want to release is my sometimes powerfully disordered and distorted thinking - the seeds of anger and depression that can rob me of my serenity no matter how perfect are my surroundings. This release has actually been a big part of my healing journey over the last few years, so I am simply asking for it to continue, for my increasingly serene outer world to reflect an increasingly serene inner world! Practical steps this moon? I will get back to my 15 minutes of morning meditation. I will keep cleaning and organizing. I will take small, manageable steps. Now, to you! Please check in, I'd love to hear where you are with your beautiful New Moon intentions. ****IT'S NOT TOO LATE! CHECK IN ANYTIME DURING THE WANING MOON (THRU AUG 19)******