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Final Quarter Moon Ritual: February

Winter stretches on as we enter the final quarter of the moon's wane. 

The new moon will rise in exactly one week - next Thursday (February 11th) - so now is the ideal moment to reflect upon how the lunar cycle has gone thus far.

Now is the time for observation, cleansing, and release. Sit in stillness with yourself.

This month is all about love, turning inwards for fulfillment, and finding subtle ways to appreciate life.




Following Moon Cycles

There are many reasons to follow the moon and be mindful of her rhythm.

Not only does the pull of the moon draw the ocean waves in with her force, but the lunar cycles have long guided harvest and yearly rituals for indigenous peoples. The movements of earthly beings occur under the watchful eye of the ever-changing moon. 

The power of the moon has long been linked to womanhood. Many cultures reference the moon as a grandmother or goddess. The cycle of menstruation (called Moontime by some indigenous groups) is believed to be a sign of the female connection to the moon, and is when a woman's power is at its strongest.

By being mindful of the cycles of the moon, you will reach a state of greater connectivity with nature. The ebb and flow of the sea will become familiar to you, and the dark nights of the month will be just as valuable as those which glow under the light of a full moon. There is something to consider and to practice at each stage of the lunar cycle.

As the moon passes the halfway mark and darkens into its final quarter, now is the time to be quiet, to cleanse space and mind, and to release burdens. 

Allow the moon to rest with you as you begin to breathe more deeply. 


Final Quarter Moon Ritual


Observe

Over the coming week, welcome moments of stillness into your daily routine.

Take this time to pick up a meditation practice, or sink more deeply into your current one, and create a space for yourself to be quiet and motionless.

No matter how busy your day is, or how impossible it feels to catch a break, there are always plenty of small instances where you have the ability to create a moment of stillness for yourself to settle in. Do not overlook the precious time between breaths.

Observe your natural state of being in these moments. 

Where does your mind tend to wander off to? How quickly is your internal speed moving? Is there anything weighing on you that you need to understand further before you can release it?

Question yourself, kindly so. 

Cleanse

To put it simply: cleanse yourself and your surroundings.

Tidy up your space, do the laundry, reorganize your room, and start your spring cleaning early this year. When you begin cleansing your physical space, your mind will begin its natural process of resetting and revitalizing.  

Take a ritual cleansing bath. 

In your bathtub, sprinkle the petals of flowers from your garden, leaves or herbs that grow around your home, or wildflowers that you have rinsed off to decontaminate. Add rosewater, essential oils, lemon juice, or another scent that brings you clarity. You may choose to slice up a citrus fruit to place in the water as well. Light a candle or incense to call upon the eternal warmth you hold within.

Hold your mind's eye on the moon's calm, silent strength as she lulls the sea to sleep. 

As you cleanse your body and space, you begin to release the tension in your soul. 

Now is the time to move forward with purity and awareness.

Be gentle with yourself. 

Release

As the nights darken and the new moon approaches, you may begin to cultivate your internal vibration by planning new projects that you are passionate about, completing neglected tasks, and generally tuning-in to what areas of your life will need attention in the coming month. 

Understand what your mind and body need in order to step peacefully and lovingly into the next lunar cycle.

Stand in the moonlight sometime soon, your palms pooling in her faint glow, and be aware of her fleeting light and how it draws you in. 

Be grateful for her soft embrace amidst the cool air of wintertime.

Release what will no longer do you any good.

Release the things that have become tiring and heavy; now you are called to replenish yourself with clean air and sweet understanding.

Move with the rhythm of the moon, and allow your breathing to be slow and powerful in these final days.





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