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Welcome to Moon Matters, my Moonbeams… You reflect the light back to me to light my way…
Mother Moon has transitioned from Full to New. Winter is doing its level best to transition into Spring. Our wardrobes transition from wooly layers to waterproof light jackets. We change our clocks, spring clean and change our environment, and transition.
We wake up from our winter hibernation. We start thinking about who we want to be as our summer selves – beach-goers, hike-takers, gardeners, festival fans – we feel a bit more optimistic and renewed. Even if a skiff of snow returns – it did here – this moon cycle promises more light, warmth, and life. We plant seeds – literally, metaphorically.
Wishing you more of what you need to renew and have many joyous transitions this budding Spring.
The Moon Knows
An update on Beneath the Visiting Moon.
Things are moving slowly forward – trying to distill what the best cover design might be. Hope to have some samples for you to vote on in the next edition. A piece of significant jewelry features in the book and versions of it exist IRL, so a variation of that may become the focal point. Or it might be a corkscrew. (also an item of interest in the story.) We’ll know when we get it right, and you’ll get to help me decide.
Still working through the deep edit and a significant rewrite of Book 2, providing the building blocks and milestones for Book 3. The story continues to tell itself, and I just have to pay attention to the details to make sure the characters don’t start whispering lies in my ears and forget what they said or did in previous chapters.
Once again, here’s the link to Book One: Chapter One in its entirety. Let me know when you’re ready for a sneak peek at Chapter 2. Thanks to everyone who sent some feedback. You might find me asking for permission to use them as quotes on the cover.
MoonShine
Refugees are people in transition. Pets are refugees too. I’ve always been inspired by all those organizations that are “Noun-Without-Borders” – Doctors Without Borders is the most well-known, but there are many – like Naturopaths, Teachers, Engineers, Chemists, Translators Without Borders, to name but a few. And as I have recently learned, learned, Veterinarians Without Borders,
This last group has been working hard in Ukraine to help people evacuate with their animal companions or provide food and care for pets and livestock that must be abandoned or orphaned/made homeless by the ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Pets are part of our families, and it’s inspiring to see this and other animal-welfare organizations step up to help the pets and livestock in harm’s way.
MoonShadow
A night of celebration can transition to disappointment in a matter of minutes. Years ago, I was very much involved with the local chapter of The Season for Non-Violence. I thought of all the good work that this organization does after watching two grown men behave badly at the Oscars this past Sunday night.
Even the most intelligent people can stand up and choose violence – with words or hands. Even famous people need to use their words carefully and not use the flat of their hands. All our heroes have feet of clay. Two wrongs don’t make it right. Apologies all around, I think, some restitution to charities dedicated to non-violence (WS), some community service to people suffering from auto-immune diseases (CR). This moment diminished the awareness of such significant wins by other actors who deserved the attention that this display of verbal cruelty and faux machismo violence stole from them. Shame. Shame. Shame.
Here’s to you, Ariana de Bose and Troy Kotsur – firsts like this should not go uncelebrated. Representation matters.
MoonDance
It’s been a long cold lonely winter. Little Darlin, it feels like years since it’s been here…
George Harrison’s masterpiece, Here Comes the Sun, has been covered a lot, but I’ll happily take this cover version by Imaginary Future if I can’t have the original.
We’re continuing to build the Beneath the Visiting Moon Playlist – which may give you clues as to the tone of some of the chapters. It’s great fun picking the songs, and putting them in “Chapter Order” – all things subject to change, of course.
MoonLight
My favorite card in the deck – The Tower.
Sometimes we ignore the subtle signs the Universe sends us. We get tickled with the Cosmic Feather, then nudged more firmly by the Cosmic 2×4, and if all else fails, the Universal Cosmic Steamroller will knock us off our foundations and lay us out flat on our backs, where we are forced to take a breath and look at the world from a new perspective.
May your transitions be as Feather-full as possible.
MoonCraft
I have had the privilege of learning from some amazing teachers, and one of them was Siobhan (Shivon) Robinsong – who founded the Gettin’ Higher Choir. She offered some workshops on choral community singing, and I learned much more than just some great songs and how to sing them.
One song that she taught us has been at the forefront of my brain for the past few weeks. We taught it at Full Circle Singing Nights and at Sacred Sound Sacred Power Retreats. It is more of a chant than a full song – and is open-ended, so you can add whatever noun you want at the end to complete the thought – the prayer – the blessing that it is. Say it to others. Say it to yourself. Unfortunately, I can’t find a recording of it, so the melody is yours to recreate at will.
In these restless times, I wish you peace. I wish you peace.
In these restless times, I wish you love. I wish you love.
In these restless times, I wish you joy. I wish you joy.
In these restless times, I wish you…
That’s all for this time, my Moonbeams.
Expect your next love letter around the time of the next Full Moon. And remember to bounce your love of the moon to those you hold dear in your heart – it will reach them! We all sleep under the same sky.
Sending my love out to you… in these restless times.
MoonLove: You’re invited to find and follow me on all the social channels! Hope to see you there – and to hear from you!
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Beneath the Visiting Moon 