Living in concert with the Moon

Finding ways to ground ourselves in relationship with natural cycles 

(TW: Discussions about spirituality; and the impact of white supremacy & colonialism on indigenous wisdom.)

🌜When I was little, I wanted to change my name to “Moonta” 🌜

The moon is an entity that has always drawn me in and captured me.

🌀Now, I utilize my understanding of the moon’s cycles to inform my own cycles of self & community care.

The new and full moon help serve as a check-in point for me.

I have learned that for me, in my own practice (which may not resonate for you – and that is OK!) – it is helpful for me to pause and reflect on the changing cycles of the moon. 

🌚On the new moon, the sky is dark and fertile. This is the time to plant seeds – figuratively and literally! It is a time to go within, nurture yourself, and set intentions for this cycle. 

🌝On the full moon, the sky is lit with a spotlight. The moon reflects the sun’s light back to us and helps us notice what has been hiding in the shadows. What has been helping or hurting towards the intentions you set at the new moon? 

Sometimes, I go all out with rituals and journaling. In other cycles, I simply light a candle and take a few deep breaths. 

A teacher and sister of mine, Terez S., taught me that my intention matters the most and not to get stuck on “doing ritual right” – she helped me see that my way of trying to “check the boxes” during my personal rituals was an outdated way of thinking – left over from trying to get perfect marks in school and always being scared to mess up the prayers in church. 

She encouraged me to make space and to listen to my inner voice. So – I invite you to do the same.

Take what works and leave the rest. Self-care, and certainly our Spiritual and Self-development – is deeply personal. Our needs are influenced by our histories, our experiences, and access to resources. 

My dad is a first-generation Greek American.  My mom is a second-generation Lithuanian American and has ancestry from my grandmother’s side in France, Germany, Scotland, and England. They each helped me learn how to value my culture and my ancestral story – including a reverence for the Earth and the cycles that nature follows.

It is an absolute privilege to not only know my ancestry but to have an oral history, cultural understanding of and embodied connection to that story. 

As a white person, I have come to understand how much of a privilege it is to know my ancestral lineage. 

Colonialism & white supremacy have systematically attempted to erase indigenous wisdom, particularly the traditions & knowledge held by BIPOC communities. 

Part of that story is a tapestry of indigenous cultures that revered the moon and the sun… as so many humans around the world do every day. 

If you garden or tend to land in some way, you’ve likely tapped into this knowledge and worked with the energies of the sun and moon – whether or not you consciously incorporated this wisdom. 

🌀 I’ve had many teachers & friendly mentors who have taught me more about living a cycle-based life. I am so grateful to them all. In sharing their wisdom, they helped me tap into my own inner knowing as an animal on planet Earth. 

🙏🏼I’d like to name & honor a few of my recent ancestors that helped inform me about how to connect with the cycles of life (all in their own way):

🧿Grandma Evie, Grandpa Lou, Yiayia Christine C, Papou George C, Uncle Jimmy, Thea Jo D., Uncle Bill D., Thea K,  Uncle Tommy, Cousin Jimmy, Cousin Alex, Beautiful Vinnie, Dr. Reed, Uncle Billy G., Mrs. B, and many, many more beautiful souls. 🧿

My fascination with the moon’s cycles may not resonate with you at all, and that’s totally cool 😎 

I’m curious…

➡️What practices have you developed to help you stay grounded/present? Do you have any check-in points during the month or seasons?