Category: Blog

Crossroads

At 8:47am on November 1st, the moon was new again. The theme for the last cycle was Definition. In an effort to figure out what Mattered, I wanted to try to take some time to figure out exactly who I was. The results were mixed.

October presented numerous opportunities for personal growth. I faced challenges with new people in unfamiliar environments, there were vibrant gigs with the band, which allowed me to express myself musically. I overcame obstacles that were Defining to my professional identity. I had a moment with my spiritual community that was deeply resonant. However, I realize that these experiences are merely components that could belong to anyone. Nothing truly stood out as a unique path for my Definition.… More...

Mattering

The Moon became new on Monday, September 2nd, at 9:56pm. Despite being the end of a relaxing Labor Day, I wasn’t yet in a place to commit to a focus for this month. Now, as we approach a full moon tomorrow night, I think I finally have my theme.

In a way, the uncertainty around this cycle’s focus makes sense. Last month I talked about Freedom, and how I wanted to leave behind the identities that I’d crafted or adopted and write my own story. When you basically give your spirit a blank sheet of paper, what do you choose to write?

I ran through several potential themes, each based on different facets of my life. Some fulfilling and inspiring, and some where resignation had replaced motivation.… More...

Freedom

The moon was last new on August 4th at 7:13am. The last cycle’s theme of Experience saw me trying to differentiate between the kinds of Experiences I was living through – trying to make sense of what does and does not work for me is a lifelong effort. Thankfully, I believe I’m starting to realize that reading from an outdated script serves no one – and that the best Experiences are those that are true to the nature of our individual essence.

Over the past several years, as I put more and more distance between myself and past traumas, I have come to see the friction caused by my living life on my own terms versus my feeling some sense of obligation to ‘the other’ – some amorphous entity for whom I’ve been performing through this life.… More...

Experience

At 6:57pm on July 5th, the Moon was New again. We’re currently in the waxing crescent phase, which signifies growth, intention, and hope.

The focus for the last cycle was Resistance, during which I talked about how I “was creating my own Resistance in the path of my attaining peace and happiness” and how I wanted to “bring awareness to where and how I stand in my own way and be mindful that even when I am unable to see clear steps forward, it doesn’t mean that’s actually the case.”

Throughout that cycle, I tried to take note of where I was seeing Resistance or friction in my path. I eliminated some barriers I had inadvertently erected for myself, but when you spend a lifetime creating defenses, it takes a while to realize that some of the things you thought were in place to help you are the very things that are doing you harm.… More...

Resistance

At 8:38am on June 6th the moon was new again, and at 9:08pm on June 21st, she will be full – so this comes halfway into the cycle. Part of the delay has been a real conundrum around what this cycle’s theme really is. There was the focus that I really thought was in place – I even had the song picked out – but the more I live through these days, the more I think that might be best saved for another time.

The last cycle saw me Breaking a spiritual Fast I had inadvertently imposed on myself. I had become so mired in the mundane that I forgot how to let my spirit be magical. It was in moving through this space that I was reminded of an essay by Alan Watts called “Lightness of Touch” from his book “Become What You Are.”… More...

Breakfast

At 11:32pm on May 7th, the Moon was New. Yes, I realize that was just a few minutes ago – I am actually on time with this one!!

During the last cycle, the focus was on Awakening. At the end of that writing I had said that it was time to “put my feet on the ground, make some coffee, and see what this new dawn might bring.” I realized at the time that the intention was a bit vague; I had set to define it as a very liminal space, knowing that the real work would kick in once the coffee was brewed.

It is said that the Waning Gibbous phase of the Moon is a time for self-reflection and rebirth, and this held very true for me.… More...

Awakening

The New moon coincided with the time of the total solar eclipse: 2:21pm on April 8th. I’m happy to be posting this inside the Waxing Crescent phase. It’s nice to be back on schedule.

The focus for the last cycle was Direction; where I wondered if I could ascertain what my true path was – not just what was available or allowed, but what was actually desired.

In digging into that, I began to realize that I have been avoiding myself for years. Sure, I’m living my life and pursuing some of my intentions, but so much has been – as the song says, Goin’ Thru the Motions. It’s not that I haven’t felt alive, but I don’t know how Awake I have truly been since before the pandemic began.… More...

Direction

On March 10th, at 5am the moon was new. It had just been five days earlier that I had posted my last focus of Wonder. This morning at 3am the Moon was new – so at least I am getting a little closer to marking the New Moon on time.

In the last post, I commented on how I had been focused too much on the stressors in my life and how that was getting in the way of my living in each moment, and living in a sense of wonder. I am happy to say that I have been able to incorporate that theme along with the one I had chosen for this cycle. Last week I was faced with several unexpected dilemmas – but instead of letting the gremlins convince me that the sky was falling, I simply accepted the circumstances, made a plan, and resolved them. … More...

Wonder

Wow – this one is late. On February 9th at 5:59pm the moon was New. I believe this is the first time I have written one of these during the waning crescent phase.

The focus for the last cycle was Understanding – where I had attempted to Understand myself better and apply a similar effort toward Understanding people around me. The focus also incorporated a level of acceptance along with that Understanding; acknowledging that the way my brain and personality work are not always aligned with my perception of ‘normal’. Part of the Understanding became the realization that this dichotomy exists only within myself. I establish the parameters of normalcy, but then I violate those parameters? Why isn’t my behavior my own normal?… More...

Understanding

At 6:57am on Thursday, January 11th, the Moon was New. So as I write this, we’re a little more than halfway toward fullness. That actually feels like an allegory for my overall sense of being right now – halfway toward fullness.

The focus for the last lunar cycle was one of Realization. In that post, I said that I was looking for moments where there is stillness and appreciation for the wonders this life can bring, and moments where the soul can find a safe place to breathe.

In January of 2017 – so, 7 years ago now – I started these monthly New Moon intentions with one about self-acceptance. In that post, I wrote, “This past Friday’s New Moon brought a vow to focus on the work of self-acceptance – both personally and professionally.… More...