The moon re-members us. As we open to her, she connects us to ourselves, our natural world, our ancestors, and our collective healing potential.
As we approach the darkest day of the year, Solstice, December 21st we are also in the middle of an insufferable (dark) time in our lives, the war between Israel and Palestine; the war in the Ukraine, and climate destruction, to name a few big ones. It’s easy to sink into despair. However, finding the light in the darkness; the ceasefire with hope to extend; being the immediate light in the darkness. One of the ways I’m finding to move through the darkness is to get to know it, to feel deeply the loneliness, and immense grief and pain with all the collective trauma that is surfacing and being created as we speak. Joining together in vigils and kirtan offering our healing energy and song collectively are ways I have found to move through these intolerable times. The other is finding solace in nature, the moon being a pillar and example we can follow. She is the light in the darkness that waxes and wanes yet is always there even when not visible. Let us take a moment to remember our own moon memories finding solace in this dark time.
I have always had a fascination with the moon. One of my earliest memories of being curious about the moon was when I was about 5 years old. I asked my Dad, “What’s that bright light in the night sky, Dad?” My Dad, always ready to make us laugh, responded, “That’s my big toenail I clipped yesterday.” While I’m grateful for my Dad’s ability to be playful, and bring humor to any situation, my curiosity of the moon and how I felt in its presence didn’t stop with my fathers answer. However, I do still think of him often when I see the crescent moon.
I have early memories of taking moon baths with my sisters and cousins on the dock of Lower Kaubashine Lake. We would lie in the glistening moonlight reflected in water, talking about how to change the world, and sometimes saying nothing at all. Or we would canoe or swim in the lake under the full moon with the celestial call of the loons in the distance. It was pure magic! As I remember these moments I feel them in my body once again, and feel the presence of the moon, her luminous body close to mine.
Another strong memory I have of feeling connected and protected by the moon was when I was traveling in my 20’s staying in different Self Sustaining communities. I was traveling to Reevis Mountain School in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains outside Globe Arizona. Angelique, one of the founders of Reevis said “make sure you arrive with plenty of time to hike the 3 miles up to the homestead in the daylight, for there are 16 river crossings and it would be difficult to do in the dark.” Well me being captivated by the arid stark beauty of the high desert didn’t heed her advice. I didn’t arrive at the parking area until the sun was setting. Oh what a beautiful hike it was, first in the sunset and then in the rising full moon. As I began my hike and was in the stride and magic of it, I felt so guided by the moon and breathtaking landscape I would be living in for months to come. It was me and grandmother moon together on this journey finding community, connection to the land, the indigenous people of that area, and the simple ways of tending to our mother earth. I must have been here before. I was welcomed with moon music, and Sally Breedlove hand drumming me across my last river crossing, safely delivered by grandmother moon.
Two and half years ago during a very big transition in my life, my daughter leaving for college and a huge shift in my marriage, I knew I needed support and comfort. I wasn’t quite sure where to find it. Being a meditator, and having many tools in my pocket, I asked the universe for guidance. What became clear was to gather with women and to drum. So I started a monthly drum circle. Quickly this gathering of women evolved into a monthly moon circle. A drum, if you look at it, especially a hand drum, it looks like the moon. That was another way the moon found her way into my heart! That’s when I began to host monthly moon gatherings, co-created by grandmother moon, and 7 dear beloved women friends. The circles begin each month by us eating a simple, delicious soup I prepare and sumptuous sprouted rye bread a sister brings to share. In silence, we rest in our intimate connection to ourselves, each other, the soup, bread and of course the moonlight, seen or unseen. Our conversations from there are infused with the light of the moon, and our more grounded ability to come from our hearts and connect deeply and more authentically. We honor the moon in song, dance, gazing, offering that which doesn’t serve us every month and occasionally howling together…sometimes you just can’t resist! Strengthened by my ever growing relationship with her, I have found the support and comfort I was craving.
Several days ago, before I started writing this blog, I set up my Dia De Los Muertos altar and I wanted to include a book that chronicles the lives of some of my ancestors entitled, “Into the Florida Wilderness, Pioneer Life and Medicine, Southwest Florida, A journey with Drs. Mary and Louis Olds taken from the Olds family diaries and Letters”. This book is about my Grandmother Rosily, my Aunt Sal and their pioneering family life on Marco Island. As my family gathered to honor our ancestors at the altar, I opened up the book to this image, along with the passage below, written by my great Aunt Sal who was like a grandmother to me. You can imagine my surprise seeing the picture of the moon and the beautiful poetry written by my Aunt so many years ago. The moon re-members us, connects us to our ancestors, as my dear beloved moon sister, Ellie said it, “as if she had been there all along shining down on me from inside the moon.”
Aunt Sal’s image of the Buck’s Moon, July 1914
Last night about nine o’clock Rosalie and I went out on the dock; and Oh! What a sight met our eyes! The water was literally a garden of stars; there was not a breath of air or a cloud in the sky; every large star in the heavens was reflected perfectly in the water; we could even see them twinkle in the water. The whole great dipper was in the water and the big Venus and Jupiter in the east. Even the Milky Way all across the sky could be seen in the water. And not only the stars but also Beethoven! It seemed like a fairyland. Mama played the second and third movements of Opus 14 Number 1: That sonata is a wonderfully beautiful and poetic one, full of deep feeling and yet in a way, dreamy….Oh, that Beethoven and those stars made a paradise of beauty! That sonata goes beautifully with the moonlight….Many an evening I have spent in the moonlight with the mangrove reflected in the water while Mama played that lovely sonata. But last night there seemed to be a wonderful, beautiful peace about everything.
– Saloma Olds
Thank you Aunt Sal for your poetic description of your experience of the moon. I am moved to share a little bit of my moon poetry, inspired by my Aunt Sal and my own curiosity.
Moon goddess of reflected light you move in me, through me as a power I am taken by. I am on a moon ride, guided by your cycles every month, waxing and waning, creating healing threads of light that connect me to all. You move oceans, inside and out. Your pull is strong and your example inspiring.
– Sylvana Weinstein
We have been holding the moon circles for two years now and we have grown into a co-led sisterhood that welcomes our families several times a year. We continue to share a simple soup and bread. Additionally, through deep listening to the moon and each other we have expanded into a place where we support each other in letting go of that which doesn’t support us as well as a healing moon circle that sends, light and healing energy, song, and prayers to those who are suffering through war, climate change, and all who are suffering for whatever reason. Addressing the individual, and collective trauma that needs tending. The feelings that come from this offering feels like a gift we can give when feeling so helpless at moments. To our moon circle and all the moon circles of people that gather together to honor the moon and our mother earth, I offer my great gratitude. I feel our group is heartfully led by the moon herself. All we needed to do was listen and follow her lead.
There is a need for us all to gather in this manor, women, men, and our children. What joy children & teens bring to our moon gatherings. A growing edge is including our partners, men or women in our lives to join in on the moon circles. This we aspire to.
Like the seasons that have specific energy so too does the moon, each phase correlates to a season. While I totally understand the seasonal shifts and energy, and feel those shifts in energy throughout the year, I am also so excited to read about the specific shifts in energy with each phase of the moon correlating to a season. So cool, every month we have the opportunity to give ourselves to each season. I invite you to become more aware of your energy at different moments in the month. Below are some attributes of the phases of the moon that correlate with seasons. This is just another way of connecting to the cycle of life and seasons and being more in tune with Mother Nature.
The New Moon (winter) Is a time for reflection, a quiet restful time, gaining in energy as the moon wanes. It is a great time to view your life and contemplate what you’re wanting to manifest this month. Be it a new project, a painting, or anything you want to bring into being. Like winter is a great time for contemplation so too is the new moon a good time of the month to write down your wishes.
The Crescent Moon (spring) This phase is filled with energy, a great time to put those wishes on your altar, to make manifest. As the moon gets fuller and fuller those wishes too have the added light to become fully manifest.
Full Moon (summer) This is a fertile phase in all aspects of life. Self confidence is at its peak during the full moon. With this full energy of the moon this is a great time to review your life and notice old patterns that don’t serve us. Writing them down can be helpful, as well as offering them to a fire, or body of water as a simple ritual of letting go can be very helpful. This is also where having a group of people that you gather with every month can be a support in holding each other accountable as well as be a community event.
Waning Moon (autumn) Our physical energy starts to decrease, trees shed their leaves, we can take those old patterns that don’t serve us that we wrote down and let them go. The moon is a great example for letting go; just as the moon doesn’t suddenly disappear neither do our old patterns, slowly, compassionately she guides us to release those things that don’t serve us. Gently, little by little as she wanes so do our old patterns.
Then the cycle repeats itself, so beautifully. What an example the moon is, living our life consciously, with the cycles of the moon and the seasons.
Years passed as I enjoyed the moon and her many phases, often my cycle syncing with hers. The relationship I have with the moon has always been present. However, sometimes I took it for granted, and even objectified her. I always appreciated and treasured her light; however, not until I began drumming and singing to her did I realize this relationship can go both ways. Grandmother Moon appreciates my devotion, song, and attention. This became very clear after the 1st or 2nd moon circle I hosted at my new home. I woke up in the middle of the night, the moon in her full splendor shining in my window, waking me up to thank me for hosting our 1st moon circle. I felt such a deep soul connection to her in those moments we shared, just she and I alone together in the light of our connection. I am so grateful to the increased relationship I have developed with our beloved grandmother moon and all the others I’m connected with through our shared love and connection with her.
A song offering you can sing to our beloved moon!
Beautiful Full Moon
By Miranda Rondeau
Beautiful Full Moon Thank you for your light You illuminate The darkness of night Shine, shine, shine On the path of the unknown Shine, shine, shine Guide us in these times. La Luna, La Luna, La Luna La Luna, La Luna, La Luna
Coming full circle to the place we find ourselves in the light of the darkness, coming together for healing, looking toward each other and our beloved Grandmother Moon, another song surfaces, letting go of that which doesn’t serve us, shame and blame so we can be who we really are and offer more fully to our world community.
The Moon Song
By Olivia Fern
I went for a walk under the moon and I asked her for a song to guide me on through the darkness, through the darkness. The darkness of my fears, when all else disappears Oh the darkness of self doubt Will burn out All your lightness, all your lightness. So let go, of the shadow Of shame and blame Praise and gain, You are more Oh just be who you are And she sang “Child be unafraid to shine. Be bold And bright, reflecting the light. She sang “Child be unafraid to shine. Be bold and Bright, reflecting the light. Be bold and bright, reflecting the light. Reflecting the Light Reflecting the Light!
Next time you see the Moon in whatever phase she’s in, I invite you to pause and really take her in. What message does she have for you or do you have for her? What sweet memories does Grandmother moon conjure up for you. Who does she connect you to? Remember she weaves a web of light that connects us all together in moon memories and solace in the storm!
Blessings and the inspiration to pause during the Darkest time of the year! We hope to see you at our online solstice gathering!
Wingersheek Beach, August 2023
Please join us for an online Solstice Gathering!
We will join together in community to mark this moment, the longest night of the year, December 20th. Also celebrating the turning point when with each day the light returns again bit by bit!
December 20th from 4:00- 5:15.