Listening to Self First

May moon cycle invites us to listen to ourselves first-our inner voice. Is our inner voice whiny, seductive, open-hearted or compassionate? Does it change depending on who we are speaking to? 

Learn to listen from the metaphor of a ‘blank slate’. The color of the may moon is obsidian or deep black, in this blackness, there is no influence to what we hear-other than ourselves. 

The Celtic medicine wheel for the season of Spring invites us to have compassion for ourselves during this third cycle of spring.  Only with compassion can we know how to really hear ourselves above all the din and distraction of ruminating thoughts, worries, unfounded fears, etc.  All this takes practice, and having enough compassion for ourselves to keep recommitting to the practice of listening. 

Self Reflection: I take time to listen to myself first, listening until I enter the space of an open 'blank slate'. Only then am I in a wise place to listen  to others. 

Learning to mirror the softness of April's coloring.

Carolyn shares:  With the softness of the pastel colors of April's moon, I am taught to see 'myself' with softness.  I am invited to see the softness in my self, as a way of being in the world, and a way of seeing the world.  I remember one of my father's favorite sayings:"I've looked long and hard..." before sharing a decision he had made. Usually, this would be a decision that went against something I wanted to do, have or be.

Rather in this cycle we are invited to see with soft eyes and a soft heart. the experience we have right now, in the present moment, and to look softly into the distant vision of our future. There is no need, in fact it may be counter productive, to 'look long and hard'.

Self Reflection:  I will take time to see myself with soft eyes and a soft heart.  This is my opening to see the beautiful truth of my life.

First Full Moon of Spring. Are You Ready to Birth A Renewed Self?

More births happen on the full moon than any other time of the month. What is ready to be birthed in your life?

With the warm winter we have had, all the plants and trees have buds which look pregnant and posed to pop fully open at any moment.  They are ahead of their natural cycle.  It seems they have been influenced more by the weather than their genetics.

What do pregnant buds have to do with us?   Like pregnancy, we have parts of our lives which seem to have their own timeline.  Influenced by things outside our control, wishes and plans...when the time is at hand for birthing (or budding) change happens-with or without our 'permission'.  We may have done everything required to be ABLE and READY for what is pending birth; but are we WILLING to fully embrace what is being born within us?

Self Reflection: On the timeline of my life, what am I preparing to birth?

March Moon Cycle and the Season of Spring Invite Creative Growth

March is the first of the three cycles for the season of spring. Now new growth will start for all living things-including us. In this cycle we are called to look at truth from many different aspects. This insures our growth is balanced and in proportion. Balanced growth requires the development of the attribute of discernment rather than the use of judgment in relationship to all aspects of our life-the care of our Self, our relationships, our  life as creative beings, and the whole of our earthly home. 

The color for the season of Spring  is yellow, and reflects the third chakra, relating to the solar plexus, sense of self, and self-esteem. Brown is the color associated with March's Moon Cycle and the Truth Cycle to Know and Accept Truth. Brown is the color of the earth and reminds us of our necessary connection to Mother Earth.  The yellow of the sun and the brown of the earth also symbolize the abundant fertility of creation.  We are a vital part of this creative process. 

In The Celtic Way of Seeing, Meditations on the Irish Spirit Wheel (see Resources), Frank MacEowan writes about how this cycle of the east, in the springtime, relates to everything to do with ‘Home’-how our home reflects our sense of self, how we care for our home, how home is a place for our own resting and safe-keeping as well as for welcoming others into our life with more openness and intimacy. In the larger sense, the concept of ‘home’ also refers to Mother Earth, our planetary home. 

Self Reflection:  This moon cycle I embrace my homes; the home of my own being, the home where I live, and the home of us all, this planet earth.