The New Moon on January 16th is a Micromoon, meaning its orbit is at the farthest point away from the Earth. This is something you may not notice, as the New Moon is traditionally not visible (it rises and sets with the Sun). The Full Moon of January 31st is known as a Blue Moon, because it is the second full moon in the calendar month. At the Full Moon, we will also experience an eclipse, early in the morning (2:51 am Pacific Time to 7:51 am Pacific time, peaking at 5:29 am Pacific Time.) |
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Image by Lucia Loiso, www.lucialoiso.com.
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This time between Winter Solstice and Imbolc is so precious to me. It is a time of rest and regeneration, of reflection and the birthing of new ideas for the year.
Many think of this as a still time, a frozen time, when Mama Earth herself is in hibernation awaiting the sunshine of Spring to bring forth new life. And although An Cailleach still watches over us from the frozen north, our world is full of life and growth. The signs are there, if we pay attention . . . if we use all our gifts for listening and sensing. Yes, the Earth may be frozen (at least here in Vancouver, Canada) but, from deep within, the heat of Mama Earth’s core reaches up, warming and nourishing the seeds and roots while the ground above is cold and covered in deep snow. And at each sunrise, the day is just a little bit longer, waxing towards the longest day of the year at Midsummer. And for my friends south of the Equator, Father Sun is now in his waning phase. The days are just a little bit shorter each day, and Lughnasadh (aka Lammas) is the first of the Celtic Autumn sabbats. |
My suggestion for you is simple: raise your awareness to the changes in Mama Earth this month as we approach Imbolc in the Northern Hemisphere and Lughnasadh in the Southern Hemisphere. I invite you to use all your physical senses and your intuitive senses. Get out in Nature, to a favourite "sit spot" or a specific section of your garden or local park. Revisit your spot throughout the month. Observe the trees, the plants, the birds, the insects, our four-legged friends . . . and the sky, the moon, the sun. Whatever captures your imagination. Note what captures your attention. It might be new growth, new animal visitors, the temperature, the length of day, the humidity or dryness. Use all your senses: breathe deeply and sense the aromas around you; listen carefully to the changes in bird songs, to the buzz of the insects. |
Fruit trees encased in crystal ice.
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One of the constant companions in my soul work throughout the year is my Moon Mná Diary Journal, created by Karen Ward and Bernie Sexton.
This beautifully designed Diary-Journal has 272 pages with lots to read – practical tips, inspiring women’s stories, Irish language proverbs, quotes and affirmations, as well as 12 mindful colouring-in pages. I was delighted when Karen asked me to contribute a short piece to the 2018 edition. As a graduate of Karen's Moon Mná Women's Celtic Circle facilitation program, I was honoured and, of course, contributed! It's not too late to order the 2018 edition and it it can be shipped worldwide! Click HERE to order your copy today!
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And there are many other ways to celebrate the New Moon, the new lunar journey. For instance, I start many new herbal medicines at the New Moon, to use La Luna's rising energy to extract as much as possible from the plant.
You could also:
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What else can you do at the Full Moon?
Remember that the Full Moon energy is with us 2-3 days either side of the actual Full Moon, so there is plenty of time to fit in any of these activities. If you are a solitary practitioner:
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The Sacred Circle, by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman
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