Deepening… Working with the moon and the five elements to deepen our Practices

Hola!

If you’ve spent any time cruising around the blog, you know that I’ve been working closely this year with the elements and the phases of the moon. I’ve also been exploring … intentions. Starting back with the first Shake n Bakes – I had a weekly experiment/intention/adventure/focus. I am now splashing around in Leo Babauta‘s Sea Change program where we focus on developing/deepening one “habit” per month. I am liking this pace.

I belong to a group within the Sea Change program called SpiritWalkers, and our fearless leader recently brought up the idea of using the four elements as a way to focus each week as we work on our new habits. The idea sang out for me and I knew I wanted to give it a shot. He has his own system worked out:

“How I feel and what I think, what I say and what I do and created the four elements for mindful habits. In the end, these are just a synthesis of good ideas from other people, but I am looking forward to trying them out. Just for fun I added a Greek element in brackets to each element. Here they are:

1. Mindful Compassion (Fire) – Be kind to yourself and others. Open your heart.
2. Mindful Thought (Earth) – Use good judgment. Choose well.
3. Mindful Speech (Air) – Be impeccable with your word. Listen.
4. Mindful Action (Water) – Always do your best. Be fully present.”

I love it. Especially the drilling down to the four Actions of Feel Think Say and Do. Awesome. Clear. Simple.

Of course I have my own kooky correspondences so I’m working on a way of incorporating the phases of the moon, the directions and elements to deepen my habits and practices.

I read a lot in different wisdom traditions – Wiccan, Native American, Buddhist, Christian and Shamanic… whatever comes across my path. I am grateful for this foundation and all the wisdom gleaned.  I read and study, but I’ve also been working it all out for myself as I go along – absorbing, ruminating, watching the wheel of the year turn on my own little patch of earth and in this body and mind that I inhabit.

The correspondences below are of my own creation – from this spot on earth as they have been revealing themselves to me – through direct experience.

I am learning so much about myself by… slowing down… and focusing in on ONE practice/habit per month. I think this further zeroing in of focus each week can only deepen my awareness – Setting one intention/focus for the month with a special LENS on each week – moving through the elements (and the actions).

So… let’s look at where I am right now with the energy I am feeling from the moon phases…

Moon Phases:

New Moon: renewal, cleansing, planting, setting goals and intentions.

1st quarter (waxing): build, increase, be fertile.

Full Moon: highest energy, creativity, review, release.

Last Quarter (waning): untangle, decrease,

Dark Moon: Rest.

And let’s take that and combine it with the Elements and the Actions:

 

North ~ Θ (theta) earth – home – touch – body

Beginning at the New Moon I will put my focus on DOING.

Set the intention of developing the habit/practice and paying attention to how it feels in the body and affects the outer world of home and hearth.

 

East ~ Φ (phi) air – relationships – scent – mind

As we move past the 1st 1/4, I will shift my focus to the THOUGHTS I have while doing the habit/practice.

Noticing what thoughts bubble up for me and also noticing how the practice affects those around me and my relationships.

 

South ~ Χ (chi) fire – work – vision – will

At the Full Moon, I will take a pause to review, readjust, and release anything that needs Letting Go.

I will take a look at how the practice is affecting/influencing my work with special attention to what I SAY – about the habit, but also being aware of the concept of “right speech” in general.

 

West ~ Ξ (ksi) water – health – taste – emotions

Moving into the Last 1/4, I will focus on how I FEEL about the practice. What emotions are rising up now that I have been working closely with this habit for a few weeks?

I will also note any changes in overall health and wellness.

 

Above/Below/All Round ~ The Fifth ~ Ψ (psi) quintessence – spirit – hearing/listening

Just before the Dark Moon, I will take time to look over the previous 4 posts and bring them together in a synthesis of what I have gleaned and take a look at how I wish to move forward with the practice.

On the actual Dark Moon – I will allow myself to rest.

 ~~o~~

Seems doable, no? I’ll keep you posted on how it all shakes out.

Working this all out is making a TAD late with this moonth’s New Moon post.  I might get to it today, as well, but first… I do believe it is time to head outside and soak up some sun.

Thanks for stopping by.

go easy ~p