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Welcome to Moon Matters, my Moonbeams…
From where you are, were you able to see the May 15 Lunar Eclipse?
I often think about how our ancient ancestors experienced a lunar or solar eclipse. The dependable, regularly scheduled light in the sky gets eaten by an invisible dragon. The world goes dark. Then the dragon spits the sun or moon out, and the light returns. Order is restored, fear vanquished. Life goes on.
Who or what steals your light? What can you do to keep the inner and outer dragons at bay? How brightly can you shine, so they spit your fiery power out to light your way? How do you celebrate the return of your light? Let’s explore all this and more…
The Moon Knows
| I have cover art to show you. And I’m proud to say that I did it myself, with the help of Canva (unpaid endorsement). To those of you who are with me on the various social media platforms, the look will not be a surprise. Needs a bit of work, still. |
| Here’s my question: Would it entice you to pick up the book from a bookshelf, or book table or pick it out of a row of books online? PS: I’m over 15K words into Book 3. |
MoonShine
This moon phase, I’ve been inspired by those who speak their truth. I recently had someone I respect and care for share their truth, unexpectedly and at some cost to themselves. We all are raised to tell the truth and not to lie, but our social contract and social conditioning often reward prevarication and qualified honesty over plain-speaking and forthrightness.
I appreciate it when I am told, with kindness and love, some hard or challenging truth. Without honest feedback, how can we grow? Properly delivered, honesty doesn’t dim our light. It helps us shine brighter because it makes us better.
Some people use “truth” as a weapon, confusing their personal opinion with universal truth. They often follow up a cutting statement with “Just Kidding,” – but they mean what they say, at some level. They don’t realize that we’re on to their manipulative verbal game. They give themselves away, and we are the better for it – because by revealing who they are, we can then choose to limit our interaction with bullies.
May your light shine undimmed, and may you live in a bully-free zone. As I learned at the Firewalk event that I participated in many years ago, “Speak your truth and speak it kindly.”
MoonShadow
Has time been moving faster for you too? Suddenly, it’s Monday morning, then I take a breath and blink my eyes, and it’s Friday afternoon. Sip some water, maybe eat an apple, and the weekend’s over. How did it get to be mid-May already? Where does the time go? Hours, days, weeks, months, quarters, years… everything seems to be speeding up. The 24-hour news cycle doesn’t help.
So here’s what I’ve been asking myself. Am I investing my time in doing the things that give me joy, feed my soul, and make my light burn more brightly? Will I have time to get everything done that I want to do before… my light no longer shines? (not being morbid, just practical.) When I think about the projects I want to accomplish, the books I have yet to read (and write), and the wool I have yet to knit – how can I focus myself to make better use of my time?
It’s been on my mind more lately, and I’m making some different decisions about where I invest my time. I hope to have a productive, satisfying summer. It will be up to me to make it so.
MoonDance
At my second ever Folk Festival, this man saved my life.
Martyn Joseph‘s delicately-crafted folk songs of love, pain, loss, longing, triumph, hope, faith, and affirmation were like balm to my broken spirit. I’m so grateful for him and his music and have had the opportunity to tell him in person how much his music and presence as a man of faith have meant to me.
He does good works quietly with little fanfare and then writes songs like this: Still A Lot of Love Around Here. He is a beacon of hope in a dimly lit world.
MoonLight
I believe that the Hermit is misunderstood. He’s not running away from the world, he’s just protecting his Light. He knows when to step away from village life to take time to learn, and if a worthy student or two can find him. He is not hiding or hibernating; he is “reclaiming his time.”
In the wise words of Yung Pueblo:
Saying no is a sign of progress.
Saying no is a sign of commitment.
Saying no is a sign of empowerment.
Saying no can help you fulfill your goals.
Saying no can support your mental health.
Saying no can bring you to the right people.
I’d add, and sometimes that right person is yourself. That’s what I’m learning.
MoonCraft
I’ve recently rediscovered a powerful magical tool that is helping me keep track of those elusive little moments that either run through my fingers like beach sand, leaving me holding not enough time, or puff themself up like balloons to make me think I have more time than I actually have.
It’s a timer. Sometimes the one on my phone – sometimes the Pomodoro timer built into my Chrome browser, sometimes it’s my Llamalife program that helps me prioritize and stay on track. I’ve been consciously applying it with increasing frequency, and I find it helps me switch tasks, refocus, and measure my productivity.
Even when doing fun stuff, like knitting or writing – setting a timer helps me remember that it’s time to stop, switch focus, or take a break – all so important to remain focused and productive.
For all that it sounds so mundane, it is having a transformative impact on my world, and isn’t that what magic really is all about?
That’s all for this time, my Moonbeams.
That’s all for this time. Expect your next love letter around the time of the next New 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 …
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 