Two Full Moons in May - Part 1 - May 1

Hello Moonchild :)

We have the good fortune of soaking under a Full Moon yet again. And not just once this month. On May 1 we have the first Full Moon that begins a cycle infused with high energy, that shows up in many realms of life. This cycle ends with the next Full Moon on May 30, when the happenings start making sense - with whatever aspects that need to continue staying strong, while some other areas will demand release and closure.

I sense high energy available to accomplish more than I usually can. I am being called to do a lot in many areas of my life. I notice the questioning mind at times, asking if I am being true to myself or digressing from my authenticity at times. These are my honest observations. You could be feeling something different too :) Irrespective of how different each of us may be feeling, there is an invitation to cultivate the attitude of a witness today. It will serve us well in this cycle starting with this Moon and ending with the next Full Moon.

In India and some other cultures, it is Buddha Purnima, It It marks the birth anniversary, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. It is thus an auspicious day for Buddhists who have specific rituals and practices. We can look at it as a wonderful opportunity to examine our current situations, come into the moment, identify the cobwebs of doubt, confusion and the like, towards journeying to our inner space of authenticity.

What can you do today?

Set aside about an hour. You can do this anytime, ideally post moonrise. Try not to take it too close to your sleep time.

(Please check Moonrise/Moonset timings, I use the My Moon Phase app.)

Start by creating a safe and sacred physical space for the ritual. Choose a room that you feel comfortable in and will not be disturbed. You can decorate the space with flowers, incense and anything else that holds meaning for you. Light a candle or ghee diya. Keep your journal and pen handy.

Sit down and close eyes. Offer gratitude to your Gurus and ancestors. Visualize a Full Moon in your eyebrow centre, take a few breaths asking the lunar energies to guide you.

A. REFLECTION

Open a page on your journal or take a piece of paper.

Write down the areas in focus in your life at the moment. Eg: Work, Relationships, Health, Leisure, Your own personality aspects including habits, perceptions, emotions, desires and the like that you are working on/are aware of etc.

Elaborate under these areas, writing clearly, honestly, what you are experiencing, without holding back, sans judgements.

B. MOVEMENT & BREATH TO CLEANSE AND JOURNEY INWARDS

Go through a gentle movement practice. Add poses that aid opening and release for your body. Additionally, if weather permits, go outdoors for a little while to bask in the Full Moon energies and gaze at the Full Moon. Make sure you do this alone and do not get distracted from the process.

Come back to your sacred space. Sit quietly with closed eyes for sometime.

Bring back the image of the Moon in your eyebrow centre.

Write this down in BIG LETTERS in your journal.

I open myself to guidance. I allow expansion.

Sit on a chair with feet on a mat or cross-legged on a mat.

Visualize your whole body as an empty shell.

As you breathe in, visualize breath as soft white light flowing into this shell and filling it up. As you breathe out, feel the body relaxing. Do this for a few breaths till you feel you are completely filled with this light.

Then sit with this experience for a few breaths.

Allow the white light to slowly dissolve.

Become aware of the physical body as is, with its skin, muscles, organs and all that you can tangibly perceive.

Lie down on a mat in any position, knowing that you are being held by Mother Earth. Surrender completely to the Earth with no worries, fears or thoughts.

Stay there for a few breaths.

Then kiss the Earth in gratitude and sit up.

C. GOING BACK TO THE REFLECTION

Sit down, open your journal and read what you wrote.

Write down these questions and answer them taking your time:

Am I staying true to myself in all areas I have identified?

What is feeling aligned for me?

What is feeling expansive?

Where do I sense conflict and why so?

How do I possibly start resolving this? (For this question, do not expect to get clarity immediately. Write what surfaces for you. Know that you are initiating resolution, clarity can come to you later too.)

Once you are done, read everything slowly and sit in silence.

D. CLOSING

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

What else can you integrate into your days through this cycle?

• Start your day with a pause. As soon as you wake up, sit up in bed and offer gratitude to the universe or your favourite deity for the gift of the night.

• Reflect on what you see lined up for the day ahead and visualize yourself going through the tasks in an unhurried and mindful way, with a smile.

• Say: I will approach everything with authenticity and do my best. I surrender in advance all that will unfold (good, bad or inbetween) to the universe/at the feet of my deity.

• 3 times a day - morning, noon and night (just before sleep), take 3 slow deep breaths to gather yourself and come into the moment.

Have a lovely Full Moon practice and a conscious cycle ahead this month! :)

Love & Gratitude

Sheetal