BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING

Inspired by Farmers' Almanacs
When I began writing this blog, I decided to call it an almanac instead of a referring to it as a diary or journal. The term almanac seemed to me more appropriate for what I wanted to say. The Farmers’ Almanacs are a source of folk wisdom that has been published in the U.S. continually for about two centuries. Many people, over the years, strongly believed in and have been helped by following the recommendations of farmers’ almanacs. So, that was part of my inspiration. While I never imagined that what I had to say would become widely popular, I hoped that the pages of my blog would reflect traditional wisdom and be helpful to a small group of people including, of course, my family and friends.

There is a lot to be learned in the Farmers’ Almanacs. One of the main points in these publications is detailed weather prediction that is printed for at least a year in advance. The sun and planetary movements, as well as phases of the moon guide these predictions. The almanacs also tell people the dates when to plant crops and when to harvest, as well as the best timing for starting up many other human activities. (See note below.)

The new moon offers opportunities
The lunar month is one of the most important aspects of our planet because it represents a regular cycle of greater and lesser gravitational attraction between the earth and the moon. The lunar cycle is 29.3 days long, and the lunar calendar has thirteen "moonths", plus one extra day to harmonize with the 365-day solar calendar.  Besides having a daily rythym of high and low tides, the lunar cycles also affect the tides. We have highest tides on new moon and full moon days and lowest tides when the moon is in the 1st quarter and last quarter.

According to the farmers’ almanacs, the new moon offers opportunities for making changes and initiating new projects. The new moon is a time for promoting all forms of growth, including planting crops, business opportunities, relationships, as well as creative and spiritual endeavors.

We become more attuned with our own aims and possibilities, when we are aware of the geo-magnetic and psychic energy available to us in different moments according to the lunar cycle. For the same reason, many spiritual traditions, including that of Native Americans, yogis and others, have special practices during the new moon. Their traditions point to these days as very favorable times to carry out certain spiritual rituals and other intentions.

Fasting and the new moon
Short periods of not eating offer a way of cleansing the body and preparing the mind for greater focus. When you fast, your body takes a rest and healing occurs. A lot of people who regularly fast say that their days of fasting help them see things more clearly and with a new perspective.

The Christian tradition also calls for fasting, and is rooted in the words of Jesus: “All things will be possible for you. That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and fasting.” (Matthew:17:20-21)

Fasting gives you an opportunity to live your day in a different way – with greater reflection -- a time for peace of body and spirit, and a closer connection to your Creator. Your fast will be even more pleasant if you spend at least part of your day outdoors, walking in nature, creating art, writing in your personal journal, listening to inspiring music, or doing devotional reading.

When you fast during the new moon, you receive important benefits. Fasting on that day greatly increases your energy and boosts your health. Yogis don’t do their regular yoga practice during the new moon, but instead maintain a fast and use the day for quiet walks, meditation, and prayer. This is a wonderful way they have of connecting with the Divine.

So, my recommendation to you is to try new moon fasting and feel its benefits for yourself. This fast is usually for 24 hours. Start your fast in the morning and end it with a light breakfast on the following morning. If you’re new to fasting, try to plan as calm a day as possible. Be sure to allow yourself some quiet time or a leisurely nap in the afternoon -- if you can manage it.

You may fast in different ways. The usual ways are by drinking water with lemon juice or drinking vegetable and fruit juices, diluted with about 50% water. You may drink as much as you like. The important thing is to not chew anything during the day and don’t drink any coffee or black tea. If -- and only if -- there is a lot of hunger in the late afternoon or evening, you can drink a fruit smoothie with a little yogurt.

Note: You can see the date of the new moon in the coming "moonth" and other info from Farmers' Almanac in GrandmaS' Almanac Calendar.


Related posts
THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE CHANGES
LOOK FOR WAYS TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE NATURAL WORLD.
 PHASES OF THE MOON - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK.
VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
COLOR THERAPY CAN HELP YOU REJECT CONSUMERISM
STAY IN THE NOW
KEEP AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNAL
FIND A PLACE FOR YOUR BIBLE


 

STAY IN THE NOW

There are a lot of reasons for living for today. If we are living in the now – this very moment-- then we can find reasons to be peaceful with ourselves. If we focus on some memory in the past and make too may comparisons about where we are today, it will cause us to feel slighted or depressed. Don’t let your head – like the proverbial ostrich - be stuck in the sands of the past, trying to relive the glory of the old days. Yes, there may have been some happy times in our lives – when we were freer of responsibility or when everything seemed to be working out according to our plans. But those memories should serve us as treasures to be cherished, and not be a heavy yoke upon our necks that keep us from finding serenity and contentment in our current activities.

And there is the other flaw that can be keeping us from counting our blessings today. We can also have our heads stuck in the sands of the future. We have this mentality when we reject our present and say: "If I can only get X (you fill in the blank), then I can begin to really enjoy life." If you’ve been consistently waiting for something in the distant future or very different from what you have today, you will forget to live the present. When this happens, you forget to enjoy the path, day by day, that leads to your future. No one can know what the future will bring. Even if you should reach some dreamed of goal, the triumph might not be just what you expected it to be.

Not even one day of the past can be relived, and no one – rich or poor, in good health or bad, accompanied or alone -- is assured as much as one day in the future. So, look for meaning in today. If we get lost thinking about the past or dwell on the future, we will destroy our only opportunity to live out this very day to the fullest. So, look for meaning in today.

So, the message is to do what we can to hold our thoughts in the NOW, right here. We do that when we honestly say to our Creator: “ Thank you, God, for this day.” It may not be the perfect day, by some external “standards,” but it was our day. And if we are striving to do our best with whatever circumstances that have come our way, then it is a good day. Above all, our measure of today should be how well we are glorifying God by our thoughts and our efforts.

When we make ourselves fully live this moment and keep ourselves from wandering off into the future or the past, we become attuned to the benefits of what we are doing. In this way, we can sense that our lives are truly blessed and stop worrying so much about the future.

So, you may ask: "How can we train our minds to focus on the opportunities that the present offers?" Here are some ways that others have recommended to help us maintain a positive frame of reference and fully experience each day.

- If you have a conversation with someone, let the other person speak at least 60% of the time. And try to listen to what that person is saying. If it is positive and useful, reinforce that moment, telling the person that you understand what he or she is saying – and mean it. You can enjoy your family member or friend and learn a lot if you are actually present, trying to understand and be helpful. If you are just waiting for the other person to shut up, so that you can continue what is essentially your own monologue, then little or no good will have come from the occasion.
- Read a devotional or self-improvement book, and really concentrate on what it says. Soak up what the book offers. Take notes to help you remember the important points. Then, work to shape your future from your experience of that book.
- Take time for a class or otherwise reward yourself with something healthy or inspirational that you really like to do – like going swimming, running, doing yoga, meditating or listening to good music. Whatever you do, immerse yourself in it and do it fully - and not as a background for doing or thinking of something else.
- Start a personal project that you have been putting off because you were always too busy. You’ll never find time for your projects if you wait for the very best time to begin. Start now with whatever time and talent you have. The moments and hours for continuing your efforts will be found, when you decide to invest your time.

Once you start living more of your time in the present, a burden will be lifted from your shoulders. Being in the now allows you to focus on the opportunities of the day and to act on them. You’ll find some breathing room, be stronger and increase your odds of finding a better future.

The present is all we’ve really got. Today may be our only chance to get where we want to be tomorrow. Don’t get lost in daily life and go through life half asleep. Find rewards in doing good things this very day -- for yourself and for others. Doing this will build the positive you that can achieve many important things. If we aren’t capable of recognizing openings appearing on the horizon, then what can we expect of the future?

OUR SPIRITUALTY: finding a place for your Bible

This article has now become a part of Grandma Susan’s website
(See month of March):

http://grandmasusans2010almanac.yolasite.com



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