I have a multi-faceted relationship with the moon…

I first began paying attention to the cycles of the moon over a decade ago, when I started my journey in herbal medicine making.  One of my mentors, Rosemary Gladstar, often wrote of the profound healing effects the moon energy has on herbal elixirs.  This fascinated me and I’ve been hooked ever since!  We often hear about fire-infused SUN TEAS, but not so much about the spirit-calm-healing waters of the MOON infusions.  There is always a GLASS JAR of something brewing in my home, and I take full advantage and set intention around both SUN and MOON light.  Combine that with Mantra infusions, and I soon befit the title of “Your friendly neighborhood Urban Witch Doctor!”

Soon after beginning my journey into the world of herbal medicine, I found YOGA and began practicing yogic traditions that also fondly embraced the cycles of the MOON within the practice.  This triggered another layer of interest in the MOON CYCLES for me that showed up first in my meditation practice and then within my work as an herbal cleansing specialist, women’s wellness advocate and yoga teacher.

This excerpt from Yoga Teacher and healer, Adelheid Ohlig, from her book, Luna Yoga, describes our connection to the moon perfectly:  “There is a rhythm to the phases of the moon that noticeably or un-noticeably influences life as well as tides on the earth… On the Indian subcontinent, thousands of years ago, wise women and men observed nature, the course of the heavenly bodies and the cycle of the seasons…”  Through this observation, they discovered ways to promote and protect health and vitality that were collected and summarized within the eight limbs of yoga as described in detail within Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra’s.

I fell in love with the chakra clearing, heart opening meditations and devotional changing within my kundalini yoga practice and began to play around with CYCLING my intentions around the PHASES of the MOON.  At first I was admittedly expecting magic to happen and one of my teachers, Krishna Kaur, reminded me that the real Magic comes through our INTENTION around what we are doing, NOT IN ABRAH KAH DABRAH!!  I remember feeling so frustrated with that reminder as I was doing the FORMULA and EXPECTING the rabbit to disappear from inside my hat.  Well, just like Alice, I had to follow the rabbit and embrace the process, so did I.

The effects of this type of devotional intention setting have served as a spiritual blueprint for my soul journey.   This level of awareness alerts me of when I’ve veered off my path, or when I am hitting the BULLSEYE.  Sure, you can accomplish this type of clarity just by doing a daily meditation practice with no concern of the cycles of the MOON or seasonal changes…  But at some point during your meditative process, you will began to feel your connection to the plants, the sky, the trees, the sun, the moon, the stars and the solar system.  This LARGER connection to the UNIVERSE AROUND ME and Infinite Wisdom within me, added yet another layer of richness to my practice that electrically charged each touch of my fingertips in MUDRA or touch of my tongue tip in MANTRA.

I am no expert on all the phases of the MOON, but I love to play around with infusing my creative visions, meditations and mantras with the cycles of the NEW MOON and FULL MOON ENERGY.  As a group our meditations, intentions and visions are magnified, and this is why I have always been drawn to leading special MOON MEDITATIONS.

I’m so grateful to offer Two Monthly Moon Meditation Circles.  Check my TEACHING SCHEDULE for UPCOMING NEW MOON and FULL MOON Meditation Circles.

Each month we move into a different theme for spiritual growth.  From Abundance – to Gratitude – to Forgiveness – to Acceptance.  We will then use the NEW MOON to meditate, laser focus and journal both our SHORT TERM and LONG TERM intentions for this Moon Cycle – Following it up with DEEP REFLECTION and opening to HARVEST of the Nectar from the FULL MOON.

But don’t take my word for this, start having an experience of the MOON and it’s cycles within yourself.  Please join me for **New Moon Meditation, Chanting and Journaling** @ the beautiful, spirit-filled MOMS AT OM STUDIO THIS  SUNDAY, March 10th, from 3-5pm!

In this very special intention seeding workshop, divinely timed with the heightened energy phases of the moon, we will:  Meditate, Initiate and Visualize (journal) our SHORT TERM (monthly) and LONG TERM Creative Visions and Affirmations for ourselves.

We will then continue this meditative process on our own, until we GATHER together again celebrating the energy of the FULL MOON, on March 24th (Palm Sunday) from 3-5pm to complete this month’s cycle and celebrate the harvest!

A friend reminded me of this month’s extra special HIGH ENERGY because of all the Holy Days of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Passover and transition to Spring Equinox!  (REMINDER TO SPRING YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD 1 hour THIS SUNDAY 3/10/2013!)

I may not be a follower of these traditions, but I always enjoy using the great energy of the SAGES to remind me of all the possibilities that lie within me.

Cost: 20.00 Donation for ONE SESSION or 30.00 Donation for BOTH SESSIONS – a 10.00 savings! (No one turned away for lack of funds.)

Bring your own mat, a special journal and shoot me a quick email letting me know you plan to join us. 🙂

Please note that the actual dates of the New Moon this month are: 3/11/2013 & Full Moon: 3/27/2013.  Many sources agree that the energy of both the New Moon and Full Moon can be felt and utilized from 3 days prior to 3 days after reaching this phase.

Join my Moon Meditation Circles here in LA or email me: [email protected] if you’d like to receive a simple meditation to practice on your own with the next New Moon.

Much love and blessings on this journey!!!