Hi Everyone,
Sorry this post is so late – I looked and last year’s post at this time was late too! Unfortunately procrastination is the downside of a Taurus new moon! Hope you are all enjoying spring, which is definitely sprung in force now, at least here in the UK!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate this new moon, we call to the spirits of our season, the spirits of the East. of the East Spirits of new beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath, the power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, the power of light, bright and powerful. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we call to the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express herself.
Where is the Moon?
The moon is in Taurus and this moon is focused on what matters to us, and how we relate to the world around us. It also provides us with the opportunity to let go of those things that hold us back, which, of course, all new moons do, but this one is really well positioned for that.
Taurus new moons are also good times to think about finances, responsibilities, where we are and where we want to be. Watch out for that procrastination though!
Talking stick
I have talked about this before, but lately I am finding it even harder to write my posts as clearly and honestly as I used to, because I find that more and more I want to talk about the things that are going on with Owen, but for many reasons cannot, not the least of which being that I feel that I would be violating his privacy by sharing his struggles, or my struggles that relate to him. I think that one day he’ll want to read all of this and would be surprised and perhaps hurt if I shared so much of his life this way. Yet he factors heavily into my life experience, since mothering is such a big part of me.
This month it feels impossible to write about much else at this new moon. He is what is on my mind, he is what I’m thinking about today, and many of my intentions at this moon relate to him. I will need to leave it at that though.
I will add though, that I feel a kind of spring thaw in myself; it has been a very emotional month. I have been really experiencing the loss of my niece, been emotional about things at work, and in general letting out some of what feels like it has been held in too long. Part of it is that I’ve been really allowing myself space this cycle to just sit, meditate, release – let go.
One last thought – I had started a daily blog – but I have to stop it, unfortunately. I found that it was killing my daily practice! I was beginning to put all of my practice into the blog and not achieving what I mentioned just above about just allowing myself space to be quiet and see what comes. It felt it had too much purpose. My practice is back to being fulfilling now – so, a good exercise, but not one I can keep up!
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying in a field, on a bed of dandelion flowers, on clear spring evening. The smell of the night air surrounds you, rich with the new spring life all around you – it fills your senses as you breathe in and out in time with the breeze, in time with the stars. As you breathe, you feel yourself getting smaller and smaller, until you are so small that you are able to walk right into the one of the dandelions. As you look up, you note how tall its flowers seem to reach, looking down, you note the depth of its roots reaching into the earth farther than you can see. Then, notice that one of the roots is larger than the others, and resembles a spiral staircase that you can walk down. Imagine then stepping onto the 13th step, the step of transformation, then spiraling down and around and inward to the 12th step, then down and around to the 11th and the 10th, spiraling down and around and inward to the 9th, then the 8th, then around and inward to the 7th and the 6th step. Then, pausing on the sixth step, note that as you look up you can no longer see the top, and looking down, that you can no longer see the bottom. You are standing in the middle of the spiral, in a moment of infinite perfection. If there is anything that you are carrying that you don't want to take with you on your journey, you can leave it on this step. Continuing then to the 5th step and the 4th, spiraling around to the 3rd and the 2nd and then finally the 1st step, then stepping into a clearing with four doorways, each pointing in one of the four directions. Imagine yourself walking down the pathway that heads east.
The time of day is morning, a warm spring dawn, as you step out into a lush meadow. The ground is soft and dewy, and you follow the path that leads across. It winds a bit, and when you look back you realize that you cannot see where you started, but you continue to head forward, knowing that the doorway is there even when you can’t see it. You become aware of a hut in the distance, built into the grass and covered with wild flowers, so that it is almost imperceptible. You head toward the dwelling, feeling it call to you. When you get closer you realize that you have reached a place both ancient and familiar; you have arrived at the home of your wise woman.
As you are about to knock, the door opens and your wise woman greets you, welcoming you in. Her home is warm and cozy, and she leads you to the kitchen where she is cooking. She offers you whatever it is that she has cooked for you, and you sit and eat or drink with her, asking any questions that you may have, or asking for any wisdom that she might wish to share with you.
When you are ready, she leads you down a hallway, with many doors. You walk to the doorway at the end of the hall, noticing anything in particular about the door as you walk through. You step into an enormous greenhouse, where there are all sorts of plants growing. Some are small, some well established, but all different. Each of them represents a part of your life and you are drawn to those plants that need your attention for whatever reason that they do, and whatever they need you are able to give to them. Or perhaps you are able to just listen to whatever it is that they have to say to you. Your wise woman joins you, answering any questions that you might have along the way, and adding her wisdom to that of the plants.
When you are just about ready to leave, your wise woman gives you a gift to help you with your intentions. You can take it with you, or it can stay in this room, knowing that you can come back to visit it anytime. When you are ready, your wise woman leads you to the door.
You head back toward the kitchen, sharing any last minute thoughts, asking any last minute questions. As you reach the door of the house you say your goodbyes, and while in her embrace, she whispers one word or phrase and presses an object into your hand that will help you to remember how beautiful you are. You thank her, then head back along the path through the meadow, knowing that the doorway is in front of you, although you cannot see it. When you do come to the doorway, when you are ready, you walk through.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the third step and the fourth. Then spiraling around to the fifth and the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then back into to the tree. Stepping out of the dandelion, you find your place beneath it, again enjoying the cold night air. Then, feeling your consciousness return to the space you are in, and, when ready opening your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I haven’t had any specific calls for prayers, but want to send out energy and light to those in our circle, and in my life, who are in recovery from addiction. I’m so proud of all of you for the ways in which you have looked yourselves in the eye and healed your lives. We should all be so brave.
Much love to everyone,
Tara
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Full Moon in Libra, 9th April, 2009
Hi everyone,
It’s been a bit crazy this week and I apologize for this getting out a bit late! It is a beautiful full moon though, and at least in the UK, definitely feeling more like spring every day!
Calling the circle
As we come to another full moon in Spring, we call to and honor the spirits of the East, spirits of this season, of new beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath, cool dawn. The power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, bright fires lit at midday. The power of light, illuminating us. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we summon the the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children, and to the brightest of moons. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express themselves.
Where is the Moon?
The full moon is in Libra, a deep balancing moon, but also a peace maker. It calls us to know ourselves, honor ourselves, and speak our truth but with deep compassion and love.
Talking stick
I have been thinking about faith for the last day or so, because in the last year several close friends have gone through times when their faith felt far away. I know that feeling so well and it is the loneliest and saddest place to be. My biggest faith crisis occurred while living in LA. I was on the heels of so much tragedy: the death of my father, my brother and a close friend; the end of my first marriage; Lyme’s disease; and then, finally, life in LA. I struggled to connect to people, to find meaningful work, and was in such a devastated place really couldn’t see my way clear of it. I wanted to be writing screenplays more than anything, and I think I felt that I’d been through so much that now I deserved it all to go my way. The more it continued to not go my way the worse it got until finally one night I shouted to God/dess that I was done – I no longer was going to pray or believe in anything until my life changed. I woke at 4am or so to the biggest earthquake LA had experienced in about 20 years and clinging to my doorway while struggling to get some clothes on (if the house collapsed thought it would be unseemly to be pulled out on CNN like that) I railed at God/dess that while I was now once again on speaking terms, it wasn’t for me but just to pray for anyone who might be hurt and suffering.
And in fact my life did change after that, but my faith crisis was not entirely over yet. Not until I got to NY and in a state of complete financial ruin on top of all the other things that I had going on in my life I finally came to a place of surrender, where I realized that they way out wasn’t going to be easy, it was going to take hard work, but that it was time for me to stop, face where I was and not where I kept wanting to be and start finding a way to live in the moment of my life in a way that would make me feel happy and contented. In that moment of surrender, I remember it vividly – it is as if all the love, all the power, all the energy of all creation came rushing back into me. Nothing had changed but everything had changed because I was finally at peace.
For me, being in faith, in harmony with the God/dess energy of all things is more about surrender than anything else. Every time in my life that I’ve tried to dictate how something “should” go, it goes wrong. When I flow with what happens, it goes well. It doesn’t mean that hard things don’t happen, but those hard things are no more a test from God/dess then the good times are a gift. The energy is there, timeless, faceless, genderless (no matter how I choose to experience it), and the source of power, light, love – the fullness of God/dess – to deal with whatever comes along. I believe it flows through me and guides me and is what I am – all the time. We can choose to be tapped into it or not, but whether we are or aren’t it is there.
For this full moon, I want to remember that holding the reins too tightly and trying to steer everything where I would have it go is just as much folly in good times (which I feel these are for me right now) as it is in harder times. I want to be reminded to be in faith all the time, listening, believing, trusting that I am that divine – I am that light – I couldn’t be anything else if I tried. And neither could you.
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying in a thick forest, under a beautiful old willow tree – green with new leaves. You can hear rain falling gently above you, but it doesn’t quite reach you on the ground. It is a lush, comfortable warm evening. The wind stirs gently, moving the branches of the willow back and forth. As you look up, you can see the light of the full moon reaching between the branches, shining down until it is touching you, reaching right into your heart. With each breath, the moonlight feels as though it is reaching through you, deep into the earth, then upward into the sky again. As it moves through you and into the earth, you feel it spiraling deep below you, into something of a staircase. You stand up, and begin to wind your way down the staircase of moonlight, beginning on the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then spiraling around to the twelfth and the eleventh, then around to the tenth, then spiraling down and around and inward to the ninth, then the eighth, and around and inward to the seventh, then the sixth. You pause for a moment on the sixth step, leaving anything behind that you don’t choose to take along with you. Then continuing to spiral down and around to the fifth step, then the fourth, then the third. And around and inward to the second, and then finally the first step. You step off the staircase onto firm ground and head out toward the west.
You step out onto a beach – a beautiful and calm sea with a long sandy shore. You are aware that you are the only person for miles – that it is a beach seemingly just for you. As you come to the water’s edge, you feel compelled to enter the water, and you swim out into the sea. The water feels perfectly warm, perfectly comfortable as you swim out, feeling your cares release into the water. You become aware that there is an island that you didn’t notice before, and you make your way toward it. When you reach the shore, you see a dwelling set back from the shore and you make your way to it. The dwelling is ancient and familiar, a home that you have been to many times before. You have reached the home of your wise woman.
As you are about to knock, the door swings open and your wise woman greets you, happy to see you as always. She brings you into the kitchen, where she is cooking for you – and you are able to talk with her about your life. When you are ready, she leads you down a hallway with many doors. You find the doorway that seems right to you and open the door. You step through into a place that offers you the most comfort possible – a place so much like home, so familiar, so full of warmth and love that any resistance that you have melts away. You might be alone in this place, or maybe there are others who complete this feeling of home for you. Whatever the place, you step in and let yourself really relax into its comfort. When you are ready, your wise woman leads you to a spring that has appeared into your environment – she leads you to the spring and asks what it is that you most need to make your life work right now. You tell her, and as you do, she draws you a glass of water from the spring. As you drink the water, you feel yourself filling with exactly what you need. When you have finished, she leads you back to the place that is home for you to relax and enjoy for as long as you need to. When you are ready, you leave this room, knowing that it is a place to which you can always return.
When you have stepped back through the doorway, you head back to the door of the house to say your goodbyes. While in her embrace, she whispers one word or phrase that will help you to remember what it was that you needed and what was fulfilled by the spring, and the place of rest. You thank her and then head back to the sea for the swim back. Feeling refreshed, you take your time, really enjoying the water, the sun, the air, the life all around you. When you reach the shore, you head back to the doorway where your journey began.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the third step and the fourth. Then spiraling around to the fifth and the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then lying back down onto the earth where you began. And when you are ready you open your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I would like to ask for powerful prayers for a friend today who will be facing a very difficult situation. Please pray that the light will shine strongly for him, around him and through him – as it always does.
Much love to all of you as well – I hope to see some of you very soon!
Tara
It’s been a bit crazy this week and I apologize for this getting out a bit late! It is a beautiful full moon though, and at least in the UK, definitely feeling more like spring every day!
Calling the circle
As we come to another full moon in Spring, we call to and honor the spirits of the East, spirits of this season, of new beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath, cool dawn. The power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, bright fires lit at midday. The power of light, illuminating us. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we summon the the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children, and to the brightest of moons. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express themselves.
Where is the Moon?
The full moon is in Libra, a deep balancing moon, but also a peace maker. It calls us to know ourselves, honor ourselves, and speak our truth but with deep compassion and love.
Talking stick
I have been thinking about faith for the last day or so, because in the last year several close friends have gone through times when their faith felt far away. I know that feeling so well and it is the loneliest and saddest place to be. My biggest faith crisis occurred while living in LA. I was on the heels of so much tragedy: the death of my father, my brother and a close friend; the end of my first marriage; Lyme’s disease; and then, finally, life in LA. I struggled to connect to people, to find meaningful work, and was in such a devastated place really couldn’t see my way clear of it. I wanted to be writing screenplays more than anything, and I think I felt that I’d been through so much that now I deserved it all to go my way. The more it continued to not go my way the worse it got until finally one night I shouted to God/dess that I was done – I no longer was going to pray or believe in anything until my life changed. I woke at 4am or so to the biggest earthquake LA had experienced in about 20 years and clinging to my doorway while struggling to get some clothes on (if the house collapsed thought it would be unseemly to be pulled out on CNN like that) I railed at God/dess that while I was now once again on speaking terms, it wasn’t for me but just to pray for anyone who might be hurt and suffering.
And in fact my life did change after that, but my faith crisis was not entirely over yet. Not until I got to NY and in a state of complete financial ruin on top of all the other things that I had going on in my life I finally came to a place of surrender, where I realized that they way out wasn’t going to be easy, it was going to take hard work, but that it was time for me to stop, face where I was and not where I kept wanting to be and start finding a way to live in the moment of my life in a way that would make me feel happy and contented. In that moment of surrender, I remember it vividly – it is as if all the love, all the power, all the energy of all creation came rushing back into me. Nothing had changed but everything had changed because I was finally at peace.
For me, being in faith, in harmony with the God/dess energy of all things is more about surrender than anything else. Every time in my life that I’ve tried to dictate how something “should” go, it goes wrong. When I flow with what happens, it goes well. It doesn’t mean that hard things don’t happen, but those hard things are no more a test from God/dess then the good times are a gift. The energy is there, timeless, faceless, genderless (no matter how I choose to experience it), and the source of power, light, love – the fullness of God/dess – to deal with whatever comes along. I believe it flows through me and guides me and is what I am – all the time. We can choose to be tapped into it or not, but whether we are or aren’t it is there.
For this full moon, I want to remember that holding the reins too tightly and trying to steer everything where I would have it go is just as much folly in good times (which I feel these are for me right now) as it is in harder times. I want to be reminded to be in faith all the time, listening, believing, trusting that I am that divine – I am that light – I couldn’t be anything else if I tried. And neither could you.
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying in a thick forest, under a beautiful old willow tree – green with new leaves. You can hear rain falling gently above you, but it doesn’t quite reach you on the ground. It is a lush, comfortable warm evening. The wind stirs gently, moving the branches of the willow back and forth. As you look up, you can see the light of the full moon reaching between the branches, shining down until it is touching you, reaching right into your heart. With each breath, the moonlight feels as though it is reaching through you, deep into the earth, then upward into the sky again. As it moves through you and into the earth, you feel it spiraling deep below you, into something of a staircase. You stand up, and begin to wind your way down the staircase of moonlight, beginning on the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then spiraling around to the twelfth and the eleventh, then around to the tenth, then spiraling down and around and inward to the ninth, then the eighth, and around and inward to the seventh, then the sixth. You pause for a moment on the sixth step, leaving anything behind that you don’t choose to take along with you. Then continuing to spiral down and around to the fifth step, then the fourth, then the third. And around and inward to the second, and then finally the first step. You step off the staircase onto firm ground and head out toward the west.
You step out onto a beach – a beautiful and calm sea with a long sandy shore. You are aware that you are the only person for miles – that it is a beach seemingly just for you. As you come to the water’s edge, you feel compelled to enter the water, and you swim out into the sea. The water feels perfectly warm, perfectly comfortable as you swim out, feeling your cares release into the water. You become aware that there is an island that you didn’t notice before, and you make your way toward it. When you reach the shore, you see a dwelling set back from the shore and you make your way to it. The dwelling is ancient and familiar, a home that you have been to many times before. You have reached the home of your wise woman.
As you are about to knock, the door swings open and your wise woman greets you, happy to see you as always. She brings you into the kitchen, where she is cooking for you – and you are able to talk with her about your life. When you are ready, she leads you down a hallway with many doors. You find the doorway that seems right to you and open the door. You step through into a place that offers you the most comfort possible – a place so much like home, so familiar, so full of warmth and love that any resistance that you have melts away. You might be alone in this place, or maybe there are others who complete this feeling of home for you. Whatever the place, you step in and let yourself really relax into its comfort. When you are ready, your wise woman leads you to a spring that has appeared into your environment – she leads you to the spring and asks what it is that you most need to make your life work right now. You tell her, and as you do, she draws you a glass of water from the spring. As you drink the water, you feel yourself filling with exactly what you need. When you have finished, she leads you back to the place that is home for you to relax and enjoy for as long as you need to. When you are ready, you leave this room, knowing that it is a place to which you can always return.
When you have stepped back through the doorway, you head back to the door of the house to say your goodbyes. While in her embrace, she whispers one word or phrase that will help you to remember what it was that you needed and what was fulfilled by the spring, and the place of rest. You thank her and then head back to the sea for the swim back. Feeling refreshed, you take your time, really enjoying the water, the sun, the air, the life all around you. When you reach the shore, you head back to the doorway where your journey began.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the third step and the fourth. Then spiraling around to the fifth and the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then lying back down onto the earth where you began. And when you are ready you open your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I would like to ask for powerful prayers for a friend today who will be facing a very difficult situation. Please pray that the light will shine strongly for him, around him and through him – as it always does.
Much love to all of you as well – I hope to see some of you very soon!
Tara
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