Writing Sample: Moon Musings...

This is a sample of writing from a previous Blog:


Moon Musings....

I wanted to share some recent teachings, tools and traditions that have influenced and inspired me over the years, which I attempt to implement into my self-care practice whenever I can and remember, revolving around the New and Full Moon cycles. The New Moon cycle is the time of the month to go within. It is a time of inner introspection, a time to plant and nurture new seeds of intentions and/or change, reset and recharge. (The Full Moon is the cycle to celebrate the fruition of the things you set in motion during the New Moon.)

My Personal Awareness of the Moon Influences 

I started following the moon cycles more closely, years ago when I wandered into a beautiful shop in Flagstaff, Arizona where a We'Moon date book caught my attention. I was looking for a way to better follow my own personal moon cycle. I was drawn to the artwork and the spiritual content of the We'Moon date book which I purchased. The daily inspirations of poems, spiritual wisdom and art work along with the moon cycle pictures helped me to tap back into not only my own body's inner wisdom but I tapped back into creating more of my own art.

As we all know the power of the Moon is very much connected to our bodies in many ways. The two most significant ways my awareness of Moon cycles and my own body's wisdom come to me are in the forms of the Elements: Water and Air (specifically as breath and sound).

The Element of Water and the Moon

As we all know we are mostly made up of water. I recently learned about the Water Prayer Practice. This practice creates an awareness in us that the Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo says, "water is medicine and the elements are aspects of consciousness flowing through all beings and that our thoughts and prayers may guide the elements towards balance and harmony."

The moon influences the ebb and flow of the ocean tides, just as it influences the water within our own bodies. Our emotions are very fluid as well, and the symbolic ebb and flow of the ocean, therefore the influence of the moon becomes very strong in us during the Full Moon cycle for example.

We are all affected by the energies of the moon. We experience a full range and variety of emotions in any given moment. For women especially we are connected to the moon cycle more intensely during our flow. A wonderful resource for women on balancing one's cycle, emotions and hormones that I have found helpful is the work of Jing Jin, "Chief Harmony Officer" at Cycle Harmony. 

A personal water ritual that I love to do to release stress, drain away any negativity, relax sore muscles and connect to the energy of the ocean is to take a bath with Epsom salt. Some people do this once a month as a cleansing. I find that I need to do it more frequently to help relieve muscle tension that I seem to experience often. Besides who doesn't enjoy taking a luxurious bath! It feels indulgent and it is one of the special acts of self-care that I've learned to treat myself to. I personally love adding essential oils to my bath as well.

The Element of Air and the Moon

What I learned about the element of air recently is phenomenal! The chemical element of Argon is a magical concept that requires an article all in itself. Basically, I learned that Argon atoms are present in every breath we take, there are trillions of molecules present in every breath. Argon is inert, therefore, it does not change its form when we inhale it into our lungs, where it does not get absorbed into our system. It remains unchanged and when we exhale those unchanged atoms float through the air, all across the globe and those same Argon atoms we breathed in, gets breathed in by someone else! This truly blew me away, that we are scientifically exchanging air molecules with everyone all around the world in every moment. This solidified to me the concept of all of us being "all one".

I recommend Intentional Breathing to clients to help reduce stress and anxiety. Breathwork can be another modality to explore. I found healthy benefits of Breathwork along with Meditative Mandala to be a very zen experience.


Intentional Drumming with the Moon

When I moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2011, I wanted to find a drum circle here that I could be a part of. Whenever I move to a new city, that is the first thing I do. Look for a drum (or drum and dance) circle. It is an instant way to connect in to a community that I know I would most likely resonate with. I have always been drawn to the primal rhythms of the drum, that resembles the sound of our own heartbeat. The first drum circle I found in Phoenix, was hosted through The Fusion Foundation.

There are many different kinds of drum circles such as intentional drumming, Shamanic drumming, West Africa drum and dance, and native-medicine drumming. The reasons I am drawn to drum, especially during the New and Full Moon cycles, are more an influential calling of my Soul to come home. Meaning when I drum, and/or dance, I'm immediately anchored to the core of Mother Earth, the eternal heartbeat of the rhythm of life. I find myself drawn to my inner Self, my Heart and Soul! The rhythms bring me into a trance-like state that alleviates stress, calms my nervous system and opens my Heart to feel joy and love; while uplifting my Soul and raise my conscious vibration.

Now, I am living back in New York, in the city and up in the Hudson Valley. I follow the moon, it's cycles, wherever I am. I find when we choose to live in tune with the natural rhythms of nature, we are more in tune to the inner workings of our life, hopefully, helping us to maintain better equilibrium with our mind, body, soul...and heart!