“By the full moon’s light our desires we know.
By the waning quarter we ebb and flow…”
— Unknown
The moon, our ever-constant companion, mysterious light in the darkness… goddess, night traveler, ruler of oceans— all civilizations from ancient to modern have been captivated by you, follow you, revel in your story. Cerridwen, Luna, Artemis, Selene, known by these and so many other names. Even our Native Americans had titles for the you— Wolf Moon, Snow Moon, Corn Moon, Hunter’s Moon—as you cycle through the heavens ruling the months and seasons. We gaze at you from afar, shadow you, observing your transformation as you recede past full and transition into final quarter. Though you are slowly waning, your light still shines brighter than all of the other lights in the night sky. And as you transform, so your dominance on nature evolves with you. Even the mighty oceans and seas bend to your influence: the tides slipping now to Neap phase— a time of balance, a time of least difference between high and low water. Is it any wonder that we humans—who are composed of 77% water—may be governed by your changes also; that your lunar body may indeed play a critical role in the tides of our consciousness as well?
We sense your changes deep in our souls. This is a time of releasing, a time of forgiveness, a time of cleaning up; of putting everything back into place and letting go of the emotional intensity of previous weeks. During this disseminating phase the time arrives for us to reap the rewards of a job well done with celebration and accolade. As writers, we intuitively sense these cosmic changes deep within our being. We reflect on them and are drawn to share them in our words—perhaps in the sharing to better understand the shifts and rifts, the effects of these changes inside us; or perhaps to allow us to open our hearts and minds, discovering the pathways of our own release. I know the allure, the call of your waning moon, have felt your invitation to release the pain of the past through words that rise from deep within me. And I have found myself adrift, caught in your Neap phase: a limbo with no “high” no “low,” lost somewhere between the ebb and flow.
Oh pale-faced Huntress of Souls, we feel your command, convergence, confluence— with all of our being. You shine on the pathways our consciousness, and in your waning light we come to understand that all things have a season, and that all that fades will again be reborn.
© Ginny Brannan 2016
Written as Chapter 7 Intro for: Poetry as a Spiritual Practice: Illuminating the Awakened Woman
*********************************
"The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It's always
there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and
dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day i
t's a different version of itself: sometimes weak and wan,
sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands
what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Created by
imperfections."
Tahereh Mafi
