YOUR VERY BEST DREAM IS WAITING FOR YOU

Grandma Susan sometimes writes about subjects that can best be labeled “New Age”. The description,  New Age, generally refers to that what was done by our ancient ancestors in the realm of the sacred. These practices can be revived and carried out by us in our times. Those principles still work. It shouldn’t be confused with witchcraft or magic. It’s a kind of self-care and reaching out in a positive way to the universe – carried out according to some ancient laws. Though only a few, comparatively, several of Grandma's most popular posts have been on New Age themes.

They say that most of the time we are using only a tiny fraction of our brains. New Age practices such as dreamwork, meditation and some other "altered" states often help heighten our mind/body capacities. The real question is whether we are prepared to let these experiences into our lives. Beyond that, we have to  be open to living better lives (expanded heart, greater service to others) on the basis of these practices.

 

Going for your dream

So, you want to remember more about your dreams?  And think, maybe, that your dreams might be useful to you, if  they didn’t slip away from you so fast after you wake up? Well, yes, they can. And there are some ways to go about dreaming with a purpose. And you (probably) don’t have to consult a dreamworker expert on how to do it.

I decided to keep a dream journal a while ago, then, put it down, now it's on my agenda again. It's all good. I write notes and draw rough sketches about these dreams and related topics in my journal. Reflections on these entries have many times have helped me make important decisions or changed how I feel about things, in general. So, keeping a dream journal is a good idea in my experience.

 

Here's an exercise that you can do to begin focusing on your dreams. It's one way to make that best dream – the one you’ve been wanting - happen to you.This is my own purposeful dream technique, based on New Age practice, that you might like to try.

Night time ritual to ask for the dream you want

Moon phases can have an influence on sleeping and dreaming patterns. Many people do this kind of exercise in the New Moon phase, which is a very good time for beginnings and changes in your life. On the other hand, thecloser we near the Full Moon phase, the more dreams tend to be more vivid and feel more consequential.

Take off everything on your night stand – except your lamp. Dust the stand with a sweet smelling, light oil on a cloth. A few fresh flowers in a small vase or petals in a bowl of water also then can be placed on your stand, if you like. 

Take out a piece of a nice note pad and a pen that you like. Sit down and reflect on something in your life that you wish to develop or change, something that, for you, would be a ‘dream come true.” Write it on the sheet of paper. Make it a short note, not an essay. Two or three sentences should be enough if you’ve been thinking about it. Be as specific as you can. Don’t be in a rush to get started. If you're not totally ready, tomorrow or the next day might be a better time to do this exercise. You don’t want to hurry through some part of the ritual or be interrupted.

 

Make sure you have mental clarity about what you’re aiming for before you look for your dream. If your request is imprecise, the answers you get can be fuzzy and disappointing. So, state your dream request as precisely as possible to ensure better results. Any intention that is mentally focused on, written down on paper, and spoken out loud carries power.

Read what you've written out loud. Place the note on the nightstand, face up. Lay some tiny thing that you treasure on top, if you think the note could be knocked off during the night.

Then, say a short prayer, out loud or silently, with words of your choice, asking for clarity on the matter. Clasping the hands together, vertically, is a good way to center your focus on prayer.

Go to sleep as quickly as possible - no TV or conversations - and wait for the dream you want. Your sleeping arrangements don't have to vary from the normal. If you have a customary bed partner, you'll maintain your regular sleeping and dreaming rhythms.

See what happens. If the dream doesn’t occur the first night, don’t think you had some kind of failure. Try variations on the same topic each night for a week or more - each night writing out a new version of your note on a fresh sheet of paper. You may have to go through a whole Moon cycle to get the result you’re looking for.

Sometimes, circumstances during our waking hours will change the importance that we attach to a topic, whether because our wishes were accomplished or because they turn out to be less important than we thought they were. Then, we could imagine that our dream-self has taken care of our needs without being remembered as a dream.

Remember, art, humor, and the future all arise from the unexpected. We can dream the unprecedented reality we want. Go for your best one, governed by love and light. Just be ready for the unanticipated twist that almost always comes with future events. It's almost impossible to imagine, beforehand, the particular ways in which good things come into our lives.

Related posts
THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE
CHANGES PHASES OF THE MOON - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK.
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING
VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.

SPROUTS SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR SURVIVAL KITCHEN

There’s one necessity that most people haven’t thought about for their survival kitchen. It’s the need for "fresh foods" to accompany all that canned and dried food that they’re storing. It’s not easy to stow away the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that can give you the living enzymes and vitamins that you need. That’s where sprout growing, an easy skill to learn, can be a life saver in a food shortage crisis.

As you probably appreciate, in a time of emergency, it will be extremely difficult to buy fresh produce at any price. Your own garden will be your best bet at that time. But crises don’t happen on anybody’s schedule, and that may mean months to be able to grow and harvest produce. Also, a lot of us just don’t have the garden space and skills and would have a steep learning curve to get through. That could mean hard times without fresh, nutrient-dense foods.

Well, fortunately for all of us, homemade sprouts provide vitamins, minerals and fiber, necessary for good health.

SPROUTS ARE SO EASY TO GROW.

What you’ll love about sprouts
First, you don’t need a lot of space to grow them. A small space on a table or a windowsill will do fine for growing several pounds of sprouts, and they can be harvested every single week.

And sprouts are so simple to grow that you don’t have to have grown anything before – not even a house plant.

What’s more, they don’t need light to grow, mature really fast, and their growing season is any time that you plant the seeds. So, you don’t have to wait 2-3 months before you harvest – like in a garden. Amazingly enough, you can have ready-to-eat sprouts in 2-4 days! Obviously they’re 100% organic. There’s no way that pesticides or any other harmful chemicals can get into what you’re eating.

You can purchase beans, lentils, alfalfa, sunflower, and other sorts of sprouting seeds at your local health food store. These seeds can last for 2-4 years on the shelf. When you’re ready to plant them, read the instructions on the seed packet. The seeds have to be the eating kind and not the ones for planting. Some seeds used for planting have been sprayed with chemicals. Once you know what you’re doing, you’ll be able to sprout most any dried bean that you have on your pantry shelf.

Here’s the general way that sprouting’s done. You put the sprout seeds into a jar and add water to it. Let the seeds soak for a couple of hours. Then, simply drain out all excess water, turn the jar upside-down and let the sprouts grow.

Every six to eight hours, open the lid, add water, swish the seeds around, thoroughly drain the jar, and replace the lid. Keep the jar upside-down in a storage container under the sink or in a closet. Correct drainage prevents the growth of mold.

How can I eat these sprouts?
Sprouts, like all vegetables, are much more flavorful and nutritious if eaten raw. But, then again, it’s not wrong to cook sprouts, if you prefer them that way.

The best part is that you can eat sprouts with most anything. Add them to salads, sandwiches, and soups. Bake them with your bread or puree them into dips. Here’s a list of possibilities:

Garnishes
Stir fry accompaniment
Bean sprout hummus
In salads
In quesadillas
On pizza
In soup
On sandwiches

Recipe for a curried mashed potato, tomato, and sprout sandwich
Ingredients
2 slices whole wheat or any whole grain bread (best if lightly toasted)
Slightly mashed potatoes, seasoned with a bit olive oil, lemon juice, garlic salt and curry powder
Fresh or canned tomatoes, drained of liquid
Fresh or chopped green chili peppers, optional
Pinch of sea salt (Always use a minimum of salt. See related post below.)
Pinch of black pepper
Slices of red onions
1/3 cup alfalfa or lentil sprouts, rinsed and drained

Directions
- Spread a slice of bread with potato mixture and some tomato.
- Top with sprouts and onion slice.
- Top other slice with choice of chili peppers, mustard, mayonnaise, or soft tofu
- Press the top and bottom together a bit and keep the sandwich chilled until time to serve.

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SHOULD YOU EAT RIGHT BEFORE BEDTIME?

My husband and I have a running argument. He says that he can’t sleep if he doesn’t have at least a semi-full stomach at bedtime. And for him, that’s around 11:00 pm. Recently, he’s started working until about 10:00 pm – what with his second job. So, he almost always wants to eat a meal after 10 pm and doesn't seem to mind eating a fair amount of food at that hour. I don’t like to eat late night meals. In fact, I’m prone to indigestion and insomnia when I’ve had a hefty meal anytime after 9 pm. But, as it stands, I have only two choices: eat late with my husband or eat alone in the early evening. And, even though I might some time regret it, right now, I’m eating a bedtime meal. So, I decided to read a bit about late night meals and organize my thoughts about it. Here’s what I found.

It’s common knowledge that the body uses a lot of energy to digest food at any hour. And when the body wants to enter a state of sleep, it will be stopped, at least to some degree, if there is undigested food in the stomach. So there won’t be restful sleep and not proper digestion, either. This is a distress to the body and  possibly causes nightmares.

There is also popular advice that late night meals and snacks are counterproductive to people who are trying to lose weight. The logic for this is the belief that the body converts late night calories into fat rather than using them right away as fuel. And that can be the cause of weight gain. Of course, there are others who say that if total daily calories are kept at an optimal level, eating something at night shouldn’t matter. For these people, it’s the total calories eaten and burned through one's daily activities that count more than the exact time that the food was consumed.

But the case against eating bedtime meals includes some other health effects. People with periodic indigestion, like myself, often have more symptoms if they lie down after eating. So those people certainly don’t want to eat much shortly before going to bed. Obviously, spicy or fatty foods are even more likely to be troublesome. Also those who are sensitive to caffeine should avoid coffee intake before bed. Alcohol is usually acts a sedative in small amounts. (My husband and I like to drink a cup of red wine with our last meal of the day.) But the consensus is that more than a little alcohol can cause awakening just a few hours later with problems to get back to sleep.

It comes down to choices and proportions

There’s speculation that, if a significant portion of the total daily calorie intake occurs late at night, sleep will be disturbed and often accompanied by bad dreams. An inability to return to sleep without getting up and doing other things, including eating or drinking something else, is another puzzling set of symptoms. Beyond that, it’s entirely possible that, for some people, eating at night is associated with weight gain. They may be careful about food choices during the day but lose all caution in the nighttime. For these people, having a last substantial meal several hours before bedtime helps them avoid a late night snack with a lot of unnecessary calories.

And it’s not unusual for people to look for some comfort food in the evenings, especially if they stay up late watching television or working at the computer. What certainly must to be avoided are late night meals and snacks that are difficult to digest. Those are contrary to a good night’s sleep. You know what foods I’m talking about  - what a lot of people reach for, or phone in for around midnight – chips, wings, pizza, and burgers. High sugar foods like ice cream, pie, and cake are also suspect before heading off to bed.

Foods that shouldn’t harm your sleep

So, the best advice is to have a substantial meal several hours before bedtime and that way, hopefully, you can go to bed just with nothing more than a tea or a glass of water. Of course, that doesn't work out for everybody. So, if you really feel hungry before bed, watch out for heavy, spicy or other high caloric foods. Easily digested,  low-sugar, low-calorie foods (less than a total of 350 calories) ought to be all right. 

Here are a few ideas for bedtime snacks that you won’t regret eating.

- Cereal and milk sweetened with honey. A small bowl of cereal can fill up the stomach and honey contains natural compounds that have a calming effect.

- Cottage cheese or yogurt. These are dairy products that are high in protein and calcium and not so sugary as ice cream and hot chocolate.

- Fruit. Almost all fruits are low-fat and high-fiber foods with minerals and enzymes that aid relaxation.

- A simple cup of soup or small sandwich or quesadilla (made with hummus, a thin slice of cheese and/or meat - without chips) fills up the stomach without a big load of extra calories.

So, whenever you want a late night meal or bedtime snack, think first. Ask yourself: Do I really need more food? And what should I be eating at this hour? Your answer (to yourself) should be based on whether you’ve already had your optimal caloric intake that day. It also should be based on the effect that certain foods could have on your body. So pay attention to what you eat before bedtime. That way you’ll get a good night’s sleep, and not have to worry so much about weight gain.

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2012 - A GOOD TIME FOR MAKING BUCKET LISTS

One year ago this month, I wrote about vision boards and how the new moon can be the inspiration for their creation. Never could I have imagined that that single post would get more hits than all the other 170 posts in this blog altogether. And the popularity of the vision board post continues in 2012 without showing any signs of slowing down. So, being impressed by this level of readership, I decided to write a sequel to that post. The idea behind the vision board is the creation of a means to focus on our goals and, in the process, find many unsuspected ways to achieve our objectives. Last year’s post apparently motivated a lot of people, and I’d like to celebrate by offering this post about another way to reach our most precious goals. It’s about making a life list, also called a bucket list, a sort of inventory of what each of us hold as priorities for our very existence.

The term, bucket list, signifies a series of things that someone wants to do on a most personal level. The principle of the life/bucket list is simple. You list all the important things you want to do in life and try to do each and every one of them before you die. And that was also the theme of a movie (2007) with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, who portrayed two terminally ill men, who set out together to make happen what was on their bucket lists and the humorous and dramatic escapades that resulted.

It’s about making a list that guides us to make step-by-step progress toward achieving our most intimate goals. For all ages, both young and old, it’s good to be thinking positively about our purposes in life and about how we can push ourselves toward their accomplishment. It’s all too easy to power down, forgetting that there’s a lot of personal work left to be done. And, deep down, we know that we can do a lot more to push ourselves forward to where we want to be in the future. Life changes happen to us for sure, and those unknown events can influence or change our direction. And unwanted changes are especially likely to occur if we’re not ready and willing to use our energy to be where we want to be with the results we aim for.

Some of the items that people often have on their life lists are: travel to a highly desirable, far-off place to live or vacation, establish a successful small business, gain fluency in a foreign language, become skilled as an artist or play a musical instrument. Most of us spend our lives repeating three verbs: to want, to have, and to do. The life list is not so much about wanting or having and certainly not about being a consumer or buying any particular thing. It's about what’s yet to be done in the realm of experiences, and about the corresponding process, where: “Getting there is half the fun.”

What’s on your list?
Your life/bucket list is whatever you want, and it’s completely up to you. What’s important is that each item has real, personal significance and is measurable. Make sure all the items are unmistakable events that can be checked off. You should be able to recognize a triumph and say “YES! I did it!” You’ll do better if you don’t link your goals with actions that are pegged too closely to the decisions of other people. And that goes even for your spouse and the same for your children, although you need to take them into consideration, of course, in as much as their needs should be considered in your timetable. For each accomplishment, ask yourself “Can I make this happen – almost entirely - on my own?” The more people it depends on, the less likely it is to come about.

Make a plan for success and enjoy the process of setting up and completing your objectives. Think big and write it all down. Don’t worry about including something that appears to be unattainable in this moment. Being a dreamer is good. Important things don’t happen without dreams. Embrace the two sides of yourself - the dreamer that can outline the future you want and the rational one who can make things happen, even those that are seemingly out of reach. Just be sure that the “dreams” are things you have every intention of doing and are willing to hard work for. One long lifetime consists of 80 years or more, and each decade should have new things to accomplish – whether you’re getting to be forty or seventy.

Remember you don’t have to share every one of your secret goals with other people. They may not agree with your vision or think that you’re incapable of obtaining those goals. Their opinions should not dampen your enthusiasm. It’s your life and finding meaning in what you do is the route to happiness. But don’t overdo it by thinking up too many life purposes. The smaller your list, the more likely you will respect it. You’ll need to consider the time and money required for each of your goals.

Let your dreams be a little bit bigger than life. The life list is a work in progress, and you won’t be a failure if you never reach one or more of your goals. It’s the effort and joy along the way that’s worth it - not the smug announcement that you’ve done it all. Hey, completing even a good number of items on your list would count for a satisfying and respectable life, assuring yourself with a wealth of fascinating stories.

But don’t let the list deteriorate into a quest for reasons to be admired. Rememberthat your list stands for how you’re going to spend a good part of your life. If you treat your list as things you hope to do to impress certain people, it probably won’t be worth the trouble.

What’s really valuable is the process of investing a good part of your time and money progressing toward one or more of your most intimate objectives - and that’s not for next year but for right now and tomorrow and the day after. You’ll have to make some adjustments in your career, family life, and lifestyle in order for these things to happen. Promise yourself to always be working on at least one item at any given time, and it’s even better if you can manage several at a time. Many failures come from the habit of making excuses. And don’t concentrate too much on completing your bucket list, only on doing the tasks that make it up.

Gearing up for bucket list action.
Find five or more good size buckets. Really, they can be any kind of open containers. The exact number of buckets depends on how many lifetime goals you can think up. The buckets can be round, rectangle or square containers and any colors or material you like – tin, plastic, wood, etc. Label each one according to your most important visions for the future. Be as specific about your goals as you can. (Remember these shouldn’t be consumer wish lists for those who have the $ - or hope to make the $ - to buy expensive things.) For example, my five buckets have these categories.

Relationships (family, friends, community) – objective(s)
Lifestyle and skills – objective(s)
Travel – objective(s)
Finances – objective(s)
Faith – objective(s)

Put 5 large envelopes in each bucket. Four envelopes are for activities or to-do lists. The fifth is a kind of journal for recording progress toward a goal. Write yourself notes and cut-out short texts and images – a running brainstorm collection - and stuff them in the appropriate envelopes. (You'll be making a different sort of clippings journal.)

Envelope 1: This month
Envelope 2: This year
Envelope 3: Within five years
Envelope 4: The indefinite future or “once in a lifetime”
Envelope 5: Notes along the way. A collection of brainstorms, comments, and grumbles about what it all means and why certain things are working out and others are not.

Keep your buckets on a shelf where you can see them everyday - nice, tidy looking containers are better because you'll be pleased to see them on display. When you accomplish a goal, you don’t necessarily remove the bucket. Date your success and put it in Envelope 5. The bucket list is not only about future goals, but also can be a reminder of the impressive things you’ve done, along with motivation to keep on track and do even more amazing things. And there’s no end of follow-up activities that can be done to record and enhance your accomplishments.

Every time you have an idea or a clipping related to one of your goals, be sure it gets to the proper envelope. Each month review the contents of the envelopes and make yourself a summary report of successes and setbacks. Do a more thorough evaluation every six months or yearly.

Related posts
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REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE CHANGES
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DON’T STASH YOUR CLIPPINGS, JOURNAL THEM.
STAY IN THE NOW

THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE CHANGES

 A more fulfilling life is always a possibility for us. But, often, we hesitant and can't seem to turn our heads away from our well-worn routines and see a new path. We can always opt for change. All in all, we are responsible for our lives. Universal power is out there forever flowing around us. You can access new levels of awareness and power by using positive thinking. Begin by visualizing the way you want today - and tomorrow - to go. Then try to live your day the way you want. Everything happens for a reason - no coincidences allowed. So, don't wait. Start now to use the power of daily reflection and the energy of the lunar cycle to help you achieve new goals.

Well, you’ve heard a lot, I know, about those new products that are sent out to you for a-30-day trial. That’s a concept that let’s you try out something new to you on a risk-free basis for one month. Sales people know that if you get started with something useful for 30 days, the chances are high that you’ll be buying their product for a long time. The same idea can help us develop new habits that improve our lives. There's strength in your convictions and, in a short period of time (28 days, new moon to new moon), you can launch yourself into a healthier and more successful life.  

Let’s say you want to seriously cut back on fried foods or sweets or give up cigarettes. And, of course, you're aware that getting started and maintaining new habits are hard things to do. On the other hand, it makes sense that if you can get past the initial inertia, the going will get much easier.

So, if you’re not sure where to begin, here’s a list of positive changes that people sometimes make in their lives:

- Exercise daily

- Keep a personal journal.
- Read for an hour a day on a subject of interest.
- Take part in a charitable activity that’s helpful to others and fulfilling to you.
- Have time for prayer or meditation every day.
- Establish an earlier bedtime.
- Work to maintain healthy and deeper relationships with other people.
- Take a long walk every day with someone (or with your dog).

 Also, you might like to review a couple of my earlier posts where I’ve commented on the advantages of beginning new endeavors during the new moon, and how the earth, moon, and sun relate in the following 27 days to help you achieve your goals. By using the energy of the new moon cycle, you’ll increase the chances that your efforts will be productive.

So, here’s the deal. Make a pact with yourself to establish a positive change in your life on a temporary basis – just 28 days or one new moon cycle. And, of course, it makes sense to concentrate on just one new habit at a time. After those 28 days, you can evaluate your experience and decide if you want to continue with that change. Could you do it? Of course, you can. It requires a bit of effort and commitment, but, hey, it’s only a bit less than one month out of your life! So, go for it.

As they say: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” And if you actually complete your objective, you’ll have 28 days of success behind you. And that should give you the confidence that you need to continue. This approach lets you test new habits even when you have real doubts about whether this change will be a permanent feature in your life. It will probably work out better if it’s something that you'll be doing daily or almost every day of the week. But it should also work if you think about your resolve for change each day, even if you can’t apply it on a daily basis.

Don’t worry so much about what you’ll do beyond those 28 days. Consider this a trial period and give yourself a chance to grow as a person, even if it turns out to be something temporary. Just think about the benefits you’ll gain from your effort in the meantime, regardless of the long-term outcome.

Now, here’s your chance to embark on one of life's amazing adventures — to find more meaning in your own life and, in turn, be a better influence on others. Creating new habits takes focus and attention to the details. So, concentrate on where you’re headed and what the benefits are – both along the way and where you want to be when you get there. Take your motivation from a source of power, inspiration and peace - whether you call that God, Universal Love, Celestial Law, etc. And remember to stay humble - you're not doing all this good stuff by yourself. You have help and you should be thankful for it! 

Beyond that, do your best to keep on course with your new commitment. A part of your success can come from reflections on your experiences that you write down in a personal journal. So, for one entire new moon cycle - 28 days, use journaling to help you visualize your goal and find the strength that can guide your progress. Here’s a sample journal survey that you can fill out each and every day of the lunar cycle. It will only take about 15 minutes in the evening to fill in your reflections. And it's sure to make a big difference on your feelings and actions the next day.

 

28 DAYS TO A LIFE CHANGE Day __ Phase of the Moon ____________ Calendar date _____________________ My new habit/resolve is to:__________________________________________________ ·   What did I do today that helps me succeed in my objective? How can I do it even better tomorrow? ·   What, if anything, did I do (or someone else do) that might harm my eventual success? How can I minimize that negative influence? ·   What did I learn (read, see, feel, etc) that I didn’t know about before or wasn’t sure of? ·   What one happy, unexpected thing am I especially thankful/blessed for today? ·   What one thing could I do tomorrow to make my life (or someone else’s life) better?

Related posts
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BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING
LOOK FOR WAYS TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

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

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