July New Moon: I AM HOME

sheetaljayaraj
Jul 5, 2024
3 min read

Hello Moonchild :)

There is one big invitation from this Moon. Close your eyes and ask yourself:

WHAT IS HOME FOR ME?

To elucidate, what makes you feel aligned, calm, content? What creates or contributes to those moments or states of being? What can bring you back to your centre in a challenging time? It could be a practice, a ritual, an activity, people, places; it could be one or more things. This is something wonderful to reflect on. Even the process of reflection for me was like coming home to the self :)

The New Moon rises on July 5th, Friday. It is said to kickstart a time of rejuvenation, regeneration and healing. No better place than 'Home' to initiate this journey :)

What can you do as a ritual?

Set aside some time for yourself. This is purely a reflective practice.

You can do this in a quiet room or some place else you'd like to be and will not be disturbed. Could even be your garden or a park you love. Being close to the Earth and nature will enhance the practice. Keep a journal and pen handy.

Wherever you are, start by centering yourself.

STEP 1

Centering

Sit in a meditative posture or lie down on the floor on a mat or if outdoors even on the bare earth/grass. Observe your connection with Mother Earth. Remember your ancestors and Gurus and seek their blessings. Visualize a Dark Moon in your eyebrow centre. As you inhale and exhale a few times, ask the lunar energies to flow through you and guide you.

STEP 2

Mindful walking

This is meditation in motion. You will slow down the pace of your walk as much as you can. You are aware as you lift up one leg in order to move it forward. You watch it move through the space in front of you. You notice as part of that foot and then the whole foot touches the ground. You sense your weight shifting forward and the back foot start to peel away from the ground. You watch that foot travel through the air as you support yourself completely on the front leg. This leg moves forward and you are aware of the moment it touches down. You keep noticing the connection of various points on the sole of each foot with the Earth. This process of walking and observation continues. Do this for about 5 minutes.

Here is an indicative video of mindful walking from one of my sessions. This is best done barefoot outdoors on grass/soil.

STEP 3

Breathwork as preparation for Reflection

Sit in a meditative posture. Simple observe your breath.

Know that it has a natural pace, rhythm, calmness, quietness and evenness.

Watch your inhale and exhale and avoid manipulating it in anyway, allow the breath to flow as it should.

Notice also the gentle expansion in parts of the torso as you breathe in and the relaxation as you breathe out.

Do this for 14 breaths

Once done, embrace whatever experience follows. Be a witness.

STEP 4

Reflection - Journaling

Part 1

Write down this prompt:

I am home when...

Continue writing without taking pen off the paper for the next 5-10 minutes. Use the prompt whenever you face a block. Avoid stopping and thinking. Write honestly, without inhibitions, straight from the heart.

Once you finish, read what you have written and observe how your body feels as you do this.

Part 2

Close eyes and sit with the experience. Reflect and remember anything else that gives you the feeling of Home. Write those down as they occur to you. Read these too once you are done.

STEP 5

Sitting with the experience

Sit still with eyes closed. Make an affirmation to connect with what is 'Home' to you twice every week or more if you can make the time.

STEP 6

Closing the ritual for the day

Bring back the image of the Dark Moon in your eyebrow centre for a few breaths.

Close the ritual by offering gratitude to your ancestors, Gurus, the Moon and Mother Earth.