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Saturday, April 16, 2011

PHASES OF THE MOON - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK.

Lunar phases are what we see as we look up at the Moon on it’s journey around the Earth in conjunction with the Earth's orbit around the sun. Traditionally, the first phase is the New Moon. That’s when the Sun and Moon are aligned on the same side of the Earth,  and the Moon isn't visible from Earth. As the Moon waxes (increasing illumination as seen from Earth) the New Moon crescent progresses to First Quarter Moon, and then on to the Full Moon phase, before waning (shrinking illumination from the Earth’s vantage) through the Last Quarter Moon, and continuing on to begin another cycle. The "Quarter Moon" refers to the progress of the moon's cycle around the Earth and not to its shape, which is seen as a half-moon.

You may have asked yourself: “Are we really affected by the phases of the Moon? Most people who have studied it think so. For thousands of years, the effects of the Moon on the earth's oceans, animals and humans have been a passionate subject of interest. Many important activities, like planting crops (remember the Farmers’ Almanacs), are often done according to the phases of the Moon. And, as GrandmaS has mentioned many times before, we all need to be more connected to the natural world around us. The practice of watching the Moon helps us to be more aware of the patterns of nature, and this can have very positive effects in our lives.

As we learn more about the Lunar Cycle, we see that the different phases are associated with particular energies. And, each part of the Moon cycle can be associated with a special flower that represents the essence of those days. Meditation on this flower can be done many different ways - by observation in nature, home displays (real, silk version, or drawing), by smelling the oil essence (fragrance), and the wearing of or even dancing around with the flower in your hand. All these forms of meditation are wonderful ways to celebrate a phase of the Moon.

NEW MOON
The New Moon brings calmness, and people’s emotions are stabilized. This means that they have more energy and acceptance of changes in their lives. So, the New Moon is time to strengthen your inner self by meditating, praying, chanting and resting. It’s also beneficial to fast for a day or eat lightly so that your body may flush out what it no longer needs. The vibrations of the New Moon will provide fresh perspectives and motivations. Nothing can remain stagnant at this stage of the Moon. So, start out fresh and transform your intentions into action, invoking the Law of Attraction. Plan for positive changes in your life and map out what you want for the upcoming month.

Floral essence: NIGHTBLOOMING CEREUS, a fragrant, desert cactus that blooms at night.

WAXING MOON AND FIRST QUARTER
The days following a New Moon represent the early advance of the new cycle, and you can take advantage of this to get things underway. From a farming perspective, waxing is a time for planting and growing. This is the gestation period for a new idea and the seed is still underground. By organizing your intentions, you can work in coordination with the lunar cycle and be ready to put your intentions in practice.

The arrival of the First Quarter Moon represents the time in the planting cycle when the plant emerges from the ground and puts out its leaves and branches. This period helps you build a solid foundation for your new endeavors and gets you ready to embrace expansion and growth in your life. Your new reality begins to evolve. Take confidence in your future success and fill your life with interests and activities.

Floral essence: the IRIS, considered to be the creative and liberating paintbrush of the soul.

FULL MOON
The Full Moon appears when the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, and the Moon's face is fully visible. This corresponds to the time in the planting cycle when the flower emerges. But, along with the great change comes increased activity. There's more emotional stress during the Full Moon, and people tend to be self-centered and  ignore the needs of others. So, there's more need for objectivity. While considered a great time for business and sales, it’s bad for purchasers who tend to be spend recklessly. Even though listening skills may be somewhat muted during the Full Moon, many people get more engaged and focused at this time. So, fully trust in your gifts, talents, and creative spirit, and keep yourself moving in a positive, helpful way.

Floral essence: the LOTUS, the flower that represents completeness and both cause and effect, simultaneously.

WANING MOON AND LAST QUARTER
This is a time that represents completion. In the planting cycle, this time corresponds to the appearance of the fruit. From a farming perspective, waning is the culmination of the entire planting cycle, involving harvesting and clean-up. You are filled with the knowledge of what you’ve accomplished in the past weeks, and your purpose is to share it with others. It’s also creates a sense of urgency to get the most out of things. This part of the lunar cycle offers you the opportunity to share your knowledge by communicating, networking, and offering service. It’s not the best time to start new projects since it's the end of a cycle. As the waning phase progresses, you may want to spend some quality time alone, reading a good book, or cleaning out a closet.

Floral essence: the ROSE, deeply rooted in the Earth and associated with true love.

MAKE YOUR OWN MOON CALENDAR
Traditionally, the Moon Cycle is one of the most important elements of life on Earth. You can think of this cycle as sort of a big clock. When we can keep track of the phases of the Moon, we have a guide to make improvements in our work and outlook. Here’s a simple way of doing that. Print out the Moon Cycle drawing shown above and write in the dates of the corresponding periods for the coming month (or just find a regular calendar that includes the phases of the Moon.) Next, write some short notes to yourself about what each phase of the cycle is supposed to mean. (An Internet search may be helpful, here.) Then, observe and keep records of your emotions, interpersonal reactions, and activities in the Lunar cycle. Write down your experiences in a personal journal. After a few months, read over your notes. You may find interesting patterns. These patterns represent your personal Lunar Rhythm. Knowing more about your own attitudes and behavior, can help you improve many important aspects of your life.

Related posts:
THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE CHANGES
LOOK FOR WAYS TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING
VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.
KEEPING AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNAL.
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
COLOR THERAPY CAN HELP YOU REJECT CONSUMERISM
FENG SHUI CAN HELP ENERGIZE YOUR FRONT DOOR AND ENTRYWAY

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