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Showing posts with label Lunar Observances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lunar Observances. Show all posts
The creators of Mother Wheel have been thinking about ways join together in real time as community; with Mother Wheel bloggers and readers coming together with others who share a similar Mormon Pagan bent. The idea came to us to connect one esbat a month with this communal gathering.
We apologize for the late notice since tonight is the new moon. We will be meeting for our first public Mormon Moon Circle tonight and we hope that you will join us.
We are currently gathering in a facebook group where we can chat about all thing Mormon and magickal and join together in ritual and prayer.
As our circle expands, we will likely find a different format that handles a large volume of people and is more user-friendly. If you have ideas for how to accomplish this, please join us and offer your suggestions.
Mormon Moon Circle will take place each new moon (on the eve nearest the zenith of the esbat*) starting at 7 pm PST (that is 6 pm AK, 8 MST, 9 CST and 10 EST).
*The complete new moon will be tonight at 12:19 am on the West coast of the US. Since technically after midnight is Saturday, the eve of the esbat is Friday (tonight).
I weighed myself this morning, and found that I had lost six pounds. Fasting for a full twenty-four hours cleansed me in different ways than I was expecting. I haven't done it in so long, and I've never given myself permission to drink water along with my fast. It was the perfect combination, and this whole week I've been feeling much less inclination to drown emotional difficulties in food. I'm excited about this new development, and true to my character, I'll probably try to go overboard with it and fast every week until I lose momentum. Or possibly I'll just stick to phases of the moon. I like the idea of fasting with the new moon. It's a sort of empathetic connection--the moon hides her face and gives no light, no nourishment, and so I participate in the darkness by refusing nourishment from other sources until she begins to turn back. (I am taking artistic license with this--I am well aware of the scientific realities of the phases of the moon...)
My phases, while not in sync with the phases of the moon, deserve to be recognized. A true connection to the nature around me, with the spirits that inhabit every last molecule of this earth, is my ultimate goal. I seek to know the Parents by fully embracing Their creations. Fasting has become a surprising way for me to accomplish that. I almost look forward to another day of hunger. I just have to decide how often I want to torture myself. I mean, cleanse myself. ;)
Like Jenni, I haven't fasted in quite some time. It stopped being necessary to skip it a long time ago, but I got lazy. The truth is, I hate fasting. I hate thinking about food all day and wishing I could drink water so bad that I can't focus on anything else. I never got any spiritual nourishment out of it. I did it out of sense of obligation and guilt, and tried to pray extra hard for something while I was starving. This time is a little different. I couldn't really decide on something to focus on--though spiritual clarity is something I really need right now, and my husband could really use a decent job--so it's more of a "can I do this?" experiment.
Adding the lunar phase into the equation gave it more ritual for me, and made it more... doable? I do better with things when there's structure and beauty added, even if neither is necessary for an action to have results. Prayer doesn't need to be formal, but I can focus better if I'm lighting a candle and consciously thinking of the Deity I pray to after ritually purifying the area with salt or water or anything, really. It doesn't make a difference in what God/dess hears, but I am focused and intent. I am praying with purer intent than if I just get to my knees at the side of the bed and ask for stuff while hoping I don't fall asleep. Or even falling to my knees and weeping because something is horribly wrong. That is not praying with intent, it's crying out with barely any faith that I'm even being heard. (at least for me--please don't take this as judgement on the way ANYONE else prays because I know it's different for everyone)
I have found that the ritual found in pagan traditions helps me to focus and ground myself before worshiping and praying and just living my life as a 'good Mormon'. Some people may be uncomfortable with me calling a circle or purifying my house ritually with salt or seawater because it's not a necessary thing. But it's necessary for me in order to calm my mind and spirit to the point where I can be receptive to inspiration and guidance from above. I am still figuring out how to go about it, and how far to go with certain things, but I am feeling definitely guided to this path. I feel joy in my heart when I contemplate adding ritual to my life, and I feel a deeper peace when reading on how to find what I truly believe in my heart. I've spent so many years on borrowed light, that even some time in the darkness is a good thing because I will be able to light my own path soon.
So I've made it 22 hours with no food so far, though water was compromised on because I'm pretty sure I actually can't function without it. At least not mentally, which is sorta necessary when I'm supposed to be focusing on something. My focus has been on my behavior and mental and spiritual awareness as I do this. This morning I could have been much more impatient with Sprout, but even though I was tired and hungry I was able to treat him with more respect and gentleness. I was expecting more of an internal fight because I usually swing toward the hypoglycemic side of things, but it took very little effort. And that made this whole thing worth it, no matter what else I may get out of it.
I have not written at the new moon for several lunations now. This is more or less because I have not been doing anything to mark them. Life has gotten busy as we prepare to move for a new job. This month, however, Dryad and I are observing this time together. She may share her thoughts separately, but here are mine...
The first Sunday of the month is "Fast Sunday" for LDS members. We traditionally abstain wholly from two meals. There are multiple purposes for this--first, the money saved can be donated to the needy; second, denying oneself in this manner is an exercise in self-control, of spirit over body. This spiritual 'tuning-in' can help us focus our prayers for greater efficacy as well.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, my body needs the nutrition of not skipping meals. So I have not fasted regularly in years. Although it has been months since my baby started eating enough solid food that I could skip a meal or two, I am simply out of the habit, and usually forget about fasting.
This month, the new moon was on Friday, and I began my fast on Saturday night. For 24 hours I am not eating (I am drinking water for the sake of avoiding dehydration, but only water). In January (right after winter solstice), during my Purification Moon, I cleansed my body by abstaining from sugar for several days. Now, six months later (right after summer solstice) seems a good time to cleanse my spirit. So as I fast, I am praying for spiritual clarity. As we all do from time to time, I have been struggling with some matters of faith in the last few months. So today I put my body under subjection to my spirit, and ask the Divine to help me see things more clearly.
The ritual provided in Circle, Coven, Grove for the March Full Moon is to bless the seeds that are going to be planted for the coming growing season. Seeds in this ritual can also be symbolic of the seeds of personal growth. The beginning of spring is a powerful time to plant the seeds for positive change. Just as the March new moon was a time to banish patterns and behavior that hinder positive change, the full moon is a time to bless the habits and behaviors that can grow positive traits.
This year we are lucky that the full moon and the equinox are back to back, so I don't feel the need to choose which blessing is done tonight or that I ought to do both at the same time. As always, my plans are shaped by the developmental needs of my children and their need to be respected at their level as they participate. For this reason, the plan is to bless the seeds for our garden on the night of the full moon and then ask on the night of the equinox for the Lord and Lady's blessing on our efforts to grow as kind, wise individuals.
The author, Deborah Blake, provides the text for the blessings of the seeds that I likely will not adapt very much though I am pondering on whether to associate God the Father will the light of the full moon. The moon is commonly associated with the female aspects of deity so the blessing provided in the book only reference the Lady and her light. I have not yet worked out in my mind the distinctions, separation of the male and female and most often view them as a unit without much understanding of their differences. I am pursuing this topic of study. Any reading materials you can refer me to?
And lastly, you've read about our plans for our garden and that we've been looking forward to planting and starting seeds for a long time now (or so it feels). I'm so excited to be getting closer! If only the seeds I ordered were here already. I thought they would be here be now so I'm just hoping they will be in the mail tomorrow...
Last month on the New Moon, my husband and I reflected on moving into a new home and what spirit we wanted there. A ritual found in the LDS church is dedicating a home to the Lord. Like the temples are dedicated to be "a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory and of God, even thy house," we wish to have our home to a house of prayer and faith where the spirit of our Heavenly Parents can be present.
One of the words that we felt very drawn to when it came to dedicating our house was harmony. We want harmony to be a characteristic of our home where the people of our house "should have hearts knit in unity and love", and where our children will, "love one another, and serve one another." (Mosiah 18:21 and Mosiah 4:15).
Often when it comes to encouraging harmony, habits and pre-set patterns need to be overcome and its more of a matter of stopping certain behaviors than starting new behaviors. Due to this and the season of Lent (Mardi Gras is coming up this week), its very fitting that the ritual described in Circle, Coven, Grove would be a Banishing Ritual.
The way the author describes a banishing ritual is as follows:
"Sometimes there are things in our lives-- or in ourselves-- that get in the way of forward movement and our ability to achieve our goals. The new moon is the perfect time to get rid of some of those roadblocks by using a banishing spell.
Banishing spells are fairly simple, really. Instead of asking the gods to help you bring something into your life (prosperity, health, love and so on), you are asking them to help you to get rid of whatever it is that stands in your way. Decrease as opposed to increase, if you will.
The same principles apply, however. If you want to get rid of something (whether it is extra pounds, debt, loneliness, fear, or negative influences in your life), you first have to be specific and focused in your intent, and then you have to follow up with appropriate actions in your everyday life."
An example of a banishing ritual can be found at The Exponent. Kmillecam describes how she used a banishing ritual to the toxic behaviors and and beliefs she learned in her childhood.
Tonight for the New Moon, my family will perform a banishing ritual where each of us can choose something to banish that will help us as individuals and a family move forward and continuing growing in harmony and love. For my husband, it may be that he chooses to banish the lingering effects of pneumonia that had him hospitalized in January. For my son, he may choose to banish the sickness that has periodically been keeping him down this winter. For my mother, it may be to banish the temptations of unhealthy eating and inactivity that perpetuates her health problems. For my daughter, it may be that she banishes her destructive and hurtful reactions to negative situations. Though being under two, that may be what I want for her more than she wants for herself!
To be honest, I'm still thinking of what I will need to banish. I'll need to do that soon! Many things come to mind but I will need to decide on which is most applicable for this time. If anything the opportunity to reflect is going to be an important exercise to me.
Another way to look at the March New Moon is that we near the Equinox, the earth is banishing the long days of winter and is moving toward long days and welcoming in the warm of the sun. In the Pacific Northwest, we are anxiously looking forward to more sun and especially the planting season!
Last week I sang in church. (Actually I sang "Be Thou My Vision" since it's been on my mind all month.) I have a theater background, and I enjoy performing. When I sing in church though it's different, because it's not about me. When I am preparing a piece for church I do ask God to help me sing it well, but I also ask that I can be a conduit for the spirit--a mouth for the Lord's voice to come through to the congregation. When people tell me that I sang well I do appreciate it, but when they tell me that it was "a beautiful song" or that they felt the spirit, that's when I know that they weren't just listening to me. And that's the whole point.
waning crescent from my front yard
The idea of being a conduit for God--opening my mouth but (hopefully) letting His voice come through is an intriguing one. The LDS church encourages this in the cases of priesthood blessings, missionary discussions, and gospel lessons, but have you ever paused to think what it would be like if you could channel God's voice (or at least His message) in informal settings too?
What if I spoke to my kids the way God would speak to them? What if I spoke to my spouse that way? What if I spoke to my friends, neighbors, and (perhaps most importantly) what if I spoke to myself that way?
In our stake conference a few months ago, one of the speakers shared a quote that has stuck with me. I have looked for the source so that I can quote it exactly and give a reference, but either I have the wording off or it's not available online, so I'll just restate it as best as I can. He said "Fathers, lower your tempers; Mothers, lower your voices." I remember nodding along to the first half of the statement, and then feeling very chastised by the second half. Because, in my case, my voice is usually the outlet of my temper. I'm a very verbal person, and respond to most things in a vocal way.
So this month I am resolving to lower my own voice, and to try to let the Lord speak through me.
I have decided to name each moon this year, according to my hopes and intentions for that lunation. Last month I began with my Purification Moon, and today is the new moon of what I am calling my Vision Moon.
I've been thinking about Imbolc and Candlemas, and something that keeps coming to me is that this is a day that falls within the darkness, and yet celebrates the light that we put out into the world. Candles are an obvious metaphor, and I am reminded of Matthew 5: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Candles and light are not just a metaphor for testimony, they are also a metaphor for vision I think. For our focus. The light of one candle in a darkened room will draw the attention of all who enter. We see the flame and cannot help but go toward it. Even an infant, who does not know what the candle is, will immediately focus that direction.
The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Even if the darkness does not comprehend the light, the light still comes, and cannot be ignored. In this month where the darkness still has hold over our earth, the little lights of our candles are standing up and being seen, and cannot be quenched.
This lunation, I will ponder and meditate on Vision: what I am focusing on, where I am going, and also what kind of light I am putting out to the world.
During this new moon, my fast (I'm planning three days) will be from the internet...so I'll see ya later. ☺
As a closing, I wanted to share this song:
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
If you are unfamiliar with this psalm, and want to hear it--words and music--try this link. If you just want to hear the melody, or want something to sing along with (especially if you've adapted the words for your own purposes), here is a lovely, simple, instrumental version of it from youtube
In preparation for the full moon tomorrow night, I looked in my copy of Circle, Coven, Grove to get ideas for what my family could do.
The book suggests for the January Full Moon to perform a group dedication ritual. Its a fitting idea for my family to in a formal way dedicate our family to our observance and celebration of the Wheel of the Year. I expect that I will follow the ritual described in the book in a loose fashion, reword it to reflect our beliefs and values and simplify it for the young minds in my household. I'll post afterwards so we can see what we did!
The ritual will basically be a statement of intent that we as a family plan to observe the Wheel of the Year and give thanks for the cycles of life as we seek to find spiritual learning and joy from our shared experience. I guess I've got tomorrow to plan and assemble materials!
Jenni here on Mother Wheel as a rule prepares a feast for the Full Moon celebrating the fullness and richness of the earth's bounty. Depending on how on it I am, I like the idea of incorporating this idea as well.
The book Circle, Coven, Grove is designed to be used starting January and going through the year which is how we happen to be using it. If someone were to start their Wheel of the Year observance in another time of year, it makes sense to me to perform the group dedication early in their observance rather than waiting for January to come around to do it.
For Family Home Evening this week, I decided it would be time to introduce the concept of the New Moon to my 3 year old. He is already familiar with the Full Moon as well as the crescent moon(s). But tonight would be the first time I called his attention to the seeming absence of the moon in the sky.
The night of the New Moon (Jan 4th), we'll take a trip outside to observe this natural phenomenon and in preparation for it, I wanted to teach a some intro. A visual would be necessary and given the difficulty of modeling it with balls and flashlights (which we've done before) I turned to something a little easier (for the parents at least, and I hope it was as effective as, if not more, for learning from a child's perspective).
What did I turn to? Youtube, of course!
A search for "Phases of the Moon" will pull up some fun, interesting, and easy to understand results.
Like, this one from the History Channel.
This one provides a good one for parents to stop and talk about what is being seen in a way that in understandable to the age and cognitive ability of children without worrying about a soundtrack to get in the way:
And for a little more in depth conversation and discussion:
And this one is just a bit of fun. Please don't get too frustrated with the egregious mispronunciation of Waning.
Another resource for teaching the phases of the moon would be in books. Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me by Eric Carle is our favorite at home and one that taught Chunka (my three year old) to recognize when the moon "is little" (a crescent) and small enough to pull down from the sky.
To bring language development and kinetic learning in (and this was Chunka's idea, not mine), we talked about the ASL signs for moon. (Search Main Dictionary, In "M" scroll for moon which also includes videos for crescent moon and full moon).
Those are my ideas for a short, engaging and developmentally appropriate lesson on teaching the mechanics of the phases of the moon. What else would you add? I'm particularly interested in books. What books do you know of that illustrates how the moon changes throughout the month?
Next will be teaching and sharing the spiritual, biological, cultural and historical significance of the changing phases of the moon. One step at a time...
Though, that does give a good lesson plan for the next few months.
So please, what resources can you think of to teach these concepts to young children? Please respond in the comments or by writing a post of your own!
During each lunation this year I am going to be choosing a different area of focus for myself. I will begin most or all of them with some form of fasting during the new moon (more about that as each one comes). During the full phase of the moon, she shows her full beauty and light, but during the new moon phase she hides her face, perhaps to rest, perhaps to cleanse herself and prepare for the next cycle. As I've pondered over what felt like an appropriate way for me to observe each new moon, I concluded that I wanted to use it as a cleansing time for myself. In some months it will be a physical cleansing, in others it may be a mental or emotional...I will evaluate my own needs as each one approaches.
In the midwinter, many ancient cultures named this moon the Hunger Moon because it was a time when food was scarce and they (of necessity) ate less food and less variety of food. At least one culture called it the Purification Moon, because the hunger--even fasting--of winter was seen as a form of purification.
After the dietary excesses of the Christmas holidays, I find myself feeling lethargic and craving sugar. I know it is because I have consumed too much of it these recent weeks, and so I am spending the new moon of my Purification Moon in a fast from sugar. This doesn't mean I'll be eating sugar substitutes either. My intent is to clear my system of sugars, so I'll be avoiding fruit juice along with candies and cookies, and drinking only water. I'll also be avoiding white flour and yeast breads (though not quite as strictly). After my week-long fast, my body will have regained a better balance, having subdued the cravings, and I will be able to allow myself sugar in moderation again. (I have done fasts of this nature before, and the first few days are hard as I have to actively battle the cravings, but it does get easier, and in the long run it's always worth it.)
On the non-physical front, I will be utilizing this Purification Moon to evaluate other aspects of my life, such as how I spend my time, or how I interact with my family, and to make goals for improving myself in those areas.
The beginning of the new year is a time of beginnings and so it is for our blog. Coinciding with the public debut of Mother Wheel, is also the January New Moon. Just in time for New Years and Mother Wheel going public, the moon is starting to reappear in the sky for us.
It just seems fitting that our new endeavor would be linking to a lunar observance. Though the Wheel of the Year that we are following has different "New Years" based on the tradition, it is perfectly legitimate to observe January 1 as the beginning of our New Year.
If we think back, we remember that our last full moon was just before the Solstice and also coincided with a lunar eclipse. The moon continued to wane until the new moon which will come on the night of January 3rd for us (as we are all USians).
To observe the beginning of a new moon and in order to celebrate our new beginning as a virtual coven here on Mother Wheel, I find that the ritual (observance) from Circle, Coven and Grove is very fitting.
The author offers up a ritual of establishing a pagan practice (tradition) either individually or as a family or communal group. She suggests that the January New Moon is a good time to begin a Book of Shadows.
A Book of Shadows is the name given to a book where a witch or group of witches records their rituals, recipes or anything else In a way this blog Mother Wheel is our Book of Shadows for the year. This is where we will plan, prepare and share what we do as individuals and families to connect with the cycles of the earth and celebrate nature.
At the New Moon, this may be a good time for introducing the blog to our families and showing them what it is that we will be doing. We could use it as a time to introduce our fellow bloggers and talk about them as families and friends who are sharing this special endeavor with us. We can join together across the country and think of each other and ask in prayer to for each participant to be blessed with knowledge and gratitude for nature and all that it provides to us.
For my young children (3 1/2 and 1 1/2 yrs old), just this and a trip outside to observe the absence of the moon in the sky, may be all their attention spans can handle. It won't need to be elaborate or drawn out, but the lesson will be there that we value the earth upon which we live, community, and seeking knowledge. Its also somewhat fitting that this also is Monday night, the evening Mormons traditionally set aside for Family Home Evening.
This ritual is adapted from the Self Blessing ritual found in Appendix II of Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler. The book states that it was written by Ed Fitch in the late 1960s, and designated to be an introductory ritual for those who are searching and investigating the Pagan path.
This ritual might be performed during the new moon, or at any other time that the practitioner feels a need for it. The book says that "there is real power in the Self Blessing; it should not be used other than in time of need and should not be done promiscuously. The purpose of this ritual is to bring the individual into closer contact with the Godhead. It can also be used as a minor dedication [of oneself]. This self blessing ritual may also be used [to] banish any evil [or negative] influences which may have formed around the person. "The result of the ritual is a feeling of peace and calm. It is desirable that the participant bask in the afterglow so that he may meditate and understand that he has called the attention of the Godhead to himself, asking to grow closer to the Godhead in both goals and in wisdom."
The ritual should be done in a quiet place, without distractions. The book recommends doing it nude, but this seems optional. I think this could also be done between spouses, or parent-to-child.
You will need the following:
Salt, about one quarter teaspoon
Wine, about an ounce, mixed into water, about one-half ounce (you might substitute this with water, olive oil, or water with some essential oil in it)
Candle, votive or other
Sprinkle the salt on the floor and stand on it, lighting the candle. Let the warmth of the candle be absorbed into the body. Mix the water into the wine (or whichever anointing liquid you are using) while meditating upon your reasons for performing the self blessing.
Read the following aloud (or adapt it for your personal preferences):
Bless me, Father/Mother, for I am your child. (Dip your fingers into the liquid and anoint the eyes) Blessed be my eyes, that I may see your path. (Anoint the nose) Blessed be my nose, that I may breathe your essence. (Anoint the mouth) Blessed be my mouth that I may speak of you. (Anoint the breast) Blessed be my breast, that I may be faithful in my work. (Anoint the loins) Blessed be my loins, which bring forth the life of men and women as you have brought forth all creation. (Anoint the feet) Blessed be my feet, that I may walk in your ways.
Here are 2 calendars I found that may be useful in planning your Esbats this year. This one is in traditional calendar format, which may be easier if you are looking at a specific date and wondering what phase the moon will be in then. This one is organized by phase of the moon. So, if you are wanting to know when to schedule full moon celebrations, you can go down that column and see the date and UT for each full moon.
