Following the Moon

Today is a new moon. It is time to set intentions and turn inward for guidance. Refresh your altar. What stirs within you? Look for newness and opportunity. In the past three years, I have learned about the illumination cycles of our Moon. At first, I thought following the Moon was perhaps too fringe for my practical mind. I kept listening, observing, wondering and began to understand and appreciate the Moon’s influence. Today I know it’s not a turning away from the Sun, its boldness or rush forward-ness. Rather, following the Moon is better understood as a path of integrating these two dynamic energies within us.

“The moon rules the feminine, the emotions, the right brain, images, symbols, the subconscious, dreams, intuition, psychic ability and the water element.” -The Moon Journal: A journey of Self-reflection through the Astrological year by Sandy Sitron (Chronicle Books, San Francisco 2018)

What does following the Moon have to do with Yoga?

Yoga practice is unique from other wellness systems. In Yoga, instead of adding layers of involvement or creeds of knowledge, true depth in practice leads to an un-doing, a dismantling, an unveiling. As the practice grows, this experience of shedding or detachment opens its practitioners to the intelligence of the natural world. Some aspirants of Yoga are drawn to additional practices such as vegetarianism, ayurveda, devotional chanting, charting the zodiac or following the moon to deepen or sustain their awareness. Some…