As the cold settles in, December’s Full Cold Moon rises and ushers in a hard season. This long night moon, Snow Moon, when trees crackle from the cold, is a purification moon. It is a moon when frost clings to outside things (hoar frost). Humans have always tried to mark time in some way. Each moon carried a symbolic name that describes what is going on in their world during that time. Each Moon carries some teachings, some practices, some ways for us to deepen our spiritual connections during this time.
This last year has been one of the most exacting and demanding years of our lives, as far as I know. Oh, yes, we have had our little grievances, our little sadness, our losses of faith and hope, but this is way different and we are either going to be better people or people who should be better or it. Imagine how thick the ether is of the sorrow for lost loved ones due to covid… globally… it has to be heavy and it will have affected us. Even with all the lows, there have been some highs.
There has to have been some growth. Have you found the negatives and worked on them? Did you notice things you might have overlooked before? Are there amends to make? Dig out those things/ideas/actions/reactions that no longer serve the BETTER you.
Tonight is the best night of all to give voice and action to your gratitude. We are still here. We are in precarious states but being able to live and breath, to love and do, is reason for it. Think up a new ceremony you could start to celebrate our survival. Light a fire, a candle, whatever you can do to spread some light. If you can make a fire, or even a small smudge bowl fire, welcome in its old soul. Feed it medicines; sage, cedar, sweetgrass, holy wood, whatever you have you can add (even old lavender sheaves). If you have a BBQ, light it, cook on it tonight. Sit and meditate, or pray, or simply sit and think about a review of the year in all its ups and downs. Do some remembering over the fire. And, do not forget the offerings. Set out food for those you lost this year. Make tobacco ties. Offer food to the animals, birds… give back something.
We can create a great future by considering how our thought processes/actions/reactions affect the ether. consider some intentions, make them valid and doable. This nest year begs us to be strong, to be brave, to be committed. There will be no end to this until we make the differences that will end it. Do not forget to thin of ways to replenish your soul. Every change starts with a “within”. Even the ether is suffering. Be compassionate as often as you can be so. Remember the hardships of the ancestors and see if you can figure out what makes us resolute, what makes us desire to be better.
Happy Full Cold Moon. Let each of be a better us.
©Carol Desjarlais 29.12.20
***art inspired by Shel C
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