Writing Down the Moon
© 2005 by P. June Diehl

Editor's Note: I first encountered Writing Down the Moon as an assignment for my writing group. I got so much benefit from the exercises that I asked its originator, June Diehl, to expand the concept to cover a lunar month. This is a different way to do journal writing, one that attunes you to the moon's cycles. I highly recommend it.

Introduction

The relationship between the moon, our earth, and people is ancient. The pull of the moon creates the tides. Legends tell us that the moon affects animals as she passes through her phases. Many people believe that more babies are born near a full moon, and some plant crops according to the moon's cycle.

Our bodies are 70% water, so what influences might the moon have upon us?

In the study of astrology the sun represents what we want; the moon, what we need. The moon is a mirror into our inner being and our relationship with others.

As the next phase of the moon approaches, read the appropriate section. Each moon phase includes questions that you can think about and use as a focus of writing. Keep a journal as you move through the cycle of the moon.

A lunar cycle is approximately 27 days

SIDE MOON DISH: Do you know the phase of the moon at the time of your birth? Try one or all of these links: http://www.heavenschild.com.au/lunation.html

http://users.ameritech.net/paulcarlisle/MoonCalendar.html

http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/mphase.htm

Phases of the Moon

New Moon -- new beginnings

During the New Moon, look deep into your inner self. This is the time to plant, so that you may grow, transform, or create the path of your inner journey.

The sun and moon work together to create a safe, dark womb for your new beginning. The magnetic pull of these energies provides the momentum for your new path.

Think: youthful, intuitive endeavors. Be aware of your dreams and waking ideas, as they hold the answers for your journey.

If this is your birth moon phase, what possibilities are emerging from your inner self? This is a good time to pay attention to your emotions and the actions you take. Look for new solutions.

Writing Down the New Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. What is your inner self's new beginning?
2. What seeds might you plant in your inner self so that you can grow, transform, or create yourself anew?
3. How might you nourish your new beginning(s)?
4. Record a dream or waking idea that you remember having during this time.
5. How does faith and trust play a part of your new beginning?

Crescent Moon -- affirmation, rally resources

The moon moves away from the sun and the seed you planted during the new moon emerges from the dark womb.

The crescent moon pushes out into the world and struggles toward the light. Beware of your inner and outer resistance to this tender bud laboring to emerge. Past patterns and ideas might obstruct your journey. Take stock of your resources and propel yourself forward.

If this is your birth moon phase, ask yourself what might be holding you back. What are your struggles? Gather your plentiful resources and these will light your path.

Writing Down the Crescent Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. How do you feel, now that your vision is being born?
2. Describe your inner and outer resistance to your new vision.
3. What past patterns, ghosts, and ideas might impede your journey?
4. What are your outer struggles?
5. What inner resources might you use to propel yourself to achieve your vision?

First Quarter Moon -- action, a time to build and choose

The moon and sun sit at right angles from each other. This is the time to make real (to act) on you New Moon visions.

This phase is a wake-up call to take positive action in fulfilling your visions. Take heed, or you may find that inactivity leads to negative adventures.

If this is your birth moon phase you might find that you thrive on the energy created during a crisis. How do you use the action to demolish what isn't useful to your inner self and build upon new visions?

Writing Down the First Quarter Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. What action(s) might you choose from?
2. How might your action(s) influence people around you?
3. What have you learned from your actions the past year?
4. How might your action(s) influence your inner self?
5. How might you use this wisdom or knowledge in your journey?

Gibbous Moon -- explore and refine

In the light of the Gibbous Moon, your vision grows, the seed buds. Your vision is coming into its own.

Your vision might feel like it's under pressure, as it is about to explode into reality. Keep your faith and don't become judgmental. Let your vision absorb the light of the Gibbous Moon.

Explore your accomplishments and revise as needed to achieve your vision. You can now move the stones along the path of your journey to further the development of your goal.

Keep a positive attitude when you make any necessary adjustments to achieving your vision. Ask yourself what else you need to do as this could relieve the pressure cooker feeling. The reword of clarity will find you during the Full Moon.

If this is your birth moon phase, what is your mission during this lifetime? Analyze some positive actions that you might take.

Writing Down the Gibbous Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. What pressures are you experiencing?
2. What should be your focus in keeping true to your inner self?
3. List your accomplishments.
4. What revisions might you make to achieve your vision?
5. How might you search for better insights?

Full Moon -- wrapping up and revelation

The full moon represents the vision in bloom. The sun and moon are in direct opposition.

This is the time when the energy reveals how your vision, your seed, has developed, like a mirror into your inner self. This time can bring revelation, awareness, and completion if you have nurtured your vision. If you don't allow your vision to mature, you might feel the effects at the full moon: emotional, physical, or spiritual conflict.

Review your lunar writings at this time.

If this is your birth moon phase, think about how you might discover a higher purpose for your life, for your relationships.

Writing Down the Full Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. How has your vision developed?
2. How did you nurture your vision? Where there things you did that stood in the way of your vision blooming?
3. What revelations / illuminations did you encounter?
4. Read through your writings during this lunar cycle. What might you try to do different during another cycle?
5. How does your vision affect your inner self? Your relationships with others?

Disseminating Moon -- allocate and disclose

This is the harvesting of the fruit, the time you share your insights revealed during the Full Moon.

The Disseminating Moon is the time to give value to your Full Moon adventure. Explore the emotionality of your experience and discover what works and what doesn't.

If this is your birth moon phase, explore what causes in your life make you feel worthwhile. Why is it important for you to believe in this cause? How does this impact your inner self? Your relationship with others?

Writing Down the Disseminating Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. What emotions rise to the surface when you think about your vision?
2. Make two lists: What worked for you and what didn't work. (Listen to your inner self!)
3. What might you carry with you into the next lunar cycle?
4. How might you release what didn't work for you?
5. How will you share your revelations with others?

Last Quarter Moon -- perception and adjustment

During the Last Quarter of the moon, the plant withers and returns to nourish the earth, preparing for the next lunar cycle.

This is a time of conflict: the past against the future. The conflict is also internal: that which gets in the way of our fulfillment. This is the time to ride yourself of beliefs, thoughts, habits, ideas, etc. that are no longer useful to your inner self and in your relationships. Adjust your attitude. Follow your inspirations.

If this is your birth moon phase, ask yourself how your idealism might be seen as an absence of adaptability. How might you better move beyond the past and concentrate on the future? How might you use the gift of comprehension to help others expand their awareness?

Writing Down the Last Quarter Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. What conflicts do you have in leaving the past and moving toward the future?
2. What beliefs, thoughts, habits, ideas, etc. do you need to leave behind? How will you do this?
3. How will you adjust your attitude and follow your inspirations into the future?
4. How will you resolve any conflicts coming from your inner self?
5. How will you deal with conflicts in your relationships?

Balsamic Moon -- collect wisdom, envision the future

The Balsamic Moon is the phase just before the New (or Dark) Moon. The Wisdom collected at this time can be used to envision your future. In this time of waning light, you cannot see the path ahead of you. Use your intuition to guide you. Focus on the spiritual or intellectual rather than the physical.

The coming of the Dark Moon is the time to rest and recuperate. Look inward, tie up loose ends, and meditate.

Is this your birth moon phase? How might you incorporate your collected wisdom into your present and future? How do you pass on your wisdom in your daily life?

Writing Down the Balsamic Moon

Minute Moon Writing.... Jot down words, phrases, or a couple sentences about how you relate to this phase of the moon...Keep this short!

1. What wisdom or knowledge have you gained recently?
2. What have you learned recently from a relationship with another person?
3. What have you learned from during the past lunar cycle?
4. What is your current relationship with your inner self?
5. How might you use this wisdom or knowledge in your journey? (Look inward: meditate, pray, dream, or just let your thoughts wonder (Dance of Wondering Thoughts)... Whatever works for you.)

New Moon -- The cycle is complete . . .back to new beginnings.

P. June Diehl is the author of The Magic & the Mundane: A Guide to the Writer's Journey and working on a second book for writers. She is finalizing her first novel, Murder in D Minor, an alternative earth murder mystery. June works as a writing teacher and coach and can be reached at: http://www.iwriteforyou.org and pjune@yahoo.com For information about her book, please go Here.