September Full Moon - Reset time

Hello Moonchild :)

The Full Moon rises on September 26th. We are in the last quarter of the year. No time like now to reset, given that the energies of this Full Moon are conducive for it too. It is a fiery Moon. This moment, just pause and take stock of how this might be reflecting in your moods and emotions. Some of you might be experiencing some heated emotions like anger, irritability and reactivity. The energy also manifests as high spirits and the drive and motivation to accomplish things. What is resonating with you?

To synthesise the nature of this Moon...

Under this Full Moon, the energies are strong to recognize and realign. If you set your mind to it, you will stay driven and motivated. It is a great time to find/rediscover your flow. If you are someone who has been dealing with self worth issues, now is the time to put in some intense inner work in that area. Courage and confidence come forth easily if you try. Leverage all of this to change course in the last quarter of the year if needed. Otherwise, double up the efforts in your already established direction to see amplified results.

What can you do?

You will need: A quiet room, about an hour, journal/paper and pen, a yoga mat. If you have a favourite deity or an altar, let these be part of the space you are practising in. Light a lamp. You can even light incense sticks and have fresh flowers as offerings to the Moon.

You can do this anytime, ideally post moonrise. Try not to take it too close to the night/your sleeping time.

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

A) CENTERING

Sit in a meditative posture. Centre yourself by observing your connection with Mother Earth. Remember your Gurus and ancestors and seek their blessings. Visualize a Full Moon in your eyebrow centre. As you inhale and exhale a few times, ask the lunar energies to flow through you and guide you.

B) MOVEMENT TO RELEASE AND ENABLE FLOW

Put on some music that you resonate with and can move to. Allow the body to move guided by the music. Explore different planes as you move, remembering to connect with the earth ever so often. Feel free to close your eyes. Use your arms and legs freely. Keep going as you open up, sense physical release and find your rhythm.

Do this for 10 minutes. Then lie down on the mat for a few breaths till the body and mind settle.

C) REFLECTIVE JOURNALING

Open your journal. If you have been following some of the earlier moon rituals and you have noted down intentions, courses of actions, please go through them.

Take a few breaths with eyes closed and do a flash back of the year that was until now. You can go month by month and also think in compartments of relationships, inner work, habits, professional scenario, passion, rest and leisure, health and more.

Then put pen to paper and start with the prompt...

"My journey this year so far has been..."

Continue writing till you think you are done

Read it slowly and notice how you feel in the body as you do so. Write those feelings and sensations down as well.

D) FOCUSED BODY MOVEMENT

If you noticed any sensations in any part/s of the body that needed to be addressed, choose what would help it. It could be a stretch, an asana posture, some movement, touch or massage. Listen to the body as you go through it to see if the sensation shifts.

Alternately, if you were unable to sense anything in the body, your work is to arrive in the body and seek grounding. Choose these asanas and stay in them for 7-14 breaths.

• Marjariasana and Bitliasana/Cat and Cow pose (Dynamic movement 7-14 times)

• Tree pose/Vrksasana

• Prasarita Padottanasana/Standing wide legged forward bend

• Malasana/Deep squat

• Saral Bhujangasana/Baby cobra pose

• Baddhakonasana/Butterfly or Kobbler's pose

• Balasana/Child's pose

Breathe effortlessly in the poses. Those who are able to, can try to exhale comfortably longer than the inhale. At the end, run your palms all over your body, feeling each and every part. Sit still for 14 breaths.

Please be aware of contra-indications if you have any health issues and check with your yoga teacher in advance if these are safe for you.

E) CULLING INSIGHTS

Start writing again using the following prompts.

1) My direction in ___________ has been.....

Fill in the area that you are addressing and write continuously till you have put down everything. Do not pause in-between, the words and grammar do not need to be right. This is just you giving in to the flow.

2) Going forward, I would like to....

Again, write continuously like before.

Read all that you have written.

F) ESTABLISHING ACCOUNTABILITY

1) Affirmation by placing palms on heart

Read this aloud 3 times with feeling:

I am grateful for all the experiences until now. I have the power and courage to chart my path for the remainder of the year.

It would help to write it down in big letters and keep it in some place you can see everyday.

2) Finding someone trustworthy for support and motivation (optional)

If you have a mentor/guide, a friend or anyone else you are comfortable with, share your plans with them fully or partly. Tell them to follow up with you every now and then so you get constant reminders to stay on the path.

G) CLOSING THE RITUAL

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

Have a deep and authentic practice and journey ahead !

Love & Gratitude

Sheetal