The Dark Moon, a time to go within

We are in the Dark-of-the-Moon, the time when the work of the old moon cycle is complete and the new moon cycle has not yet begun.  Like the moon in darkness, we too can take this opportunity to go within and rest.  This is a time to listen.  What within you feels complete?  What asks to be brought to the light?

This Dark Moon began late Sunday and lasts until the moon enters Virgo early Wednesday.  There it will wax to new on Thursday at 6:36 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  It’s pretty long as Dark Moons go.

The Dark Moon is a time of gestation, a time of mystery when we can return to the womb of our very being.  Consider it a gift.  Stop.  Slow down the ‘doing’ of life and use the moon cycle as a metaphor to deepen.  

Now in the sun calendar, we harvest from our literal gardens. Open to the wonder that each turning of the moon offers us the chance to take stock of what we are harvesting in our lives and consider what we will plant next.   Let the moon stand in for the yearly cycle of life: from birth at the new moon to waxing in potential at the first quarter.  From accomplishment at fullness to appreciation of life’s unfolding at the waning third quarter.  Until finally, we rest again at the dark moon.

Take space during this Dark Moon to be grateful for the fruits of the moon cycle passing.  Then consider what seeds you seek to plant in your life now.

Generally the seeds we plant in our gardens in the fall are perennials that will rest these next few months and germinate in springtime.  They tend to be hardy seeds requiring that freeze-thaw cycle of winter before they can burst forth with new life.  I wonder if this might also be true in our lives.

What seeds do you find in the darkness to plant with the light of the New Moon?