Sometimes I really have to laugh at myself. The most obvious of things can catch me unaware in a way that strikes me as hilarious. Case in point…
Yesterday I experienced such a rush of anxiety. Somehow it occurred to me that the year had only 365 days in; a mere 30+ days each month. I started to feel the crush of all the things I wanted to do and pay attention to and to explore and suddenly it didn’t seem like there was anywhere near enough time. I made a list of things I HAD to get done during the day and there were 12 things, each of which would take a minimum of an hour, and then suddenly I realized the day would be done and I wouldn’t have managed to fit in any fun, nor done anything other than “maintenance” kinds of stuff. Before I spiraled too far down the black hole of despair, I did two things. I put my hand to my heart and took some deep breaths. Ahh. This has become one of my favorite go-to tools. Seriously, simply taking a mindful breath or two (or five or ten) can be so powerful. It’s centering, it’s grounding, and it creates spaciousness around things. Because it brings you right back into the moment, pulling all the energy you’ve shoved out ahead of yourself into the future right back around you into the moment where it belongs.
The other thing I did was talk to friends. With the first welcoming hello giggle I was suddenly shifted out of doom into the returning sense of possibility. Friends can do that for you – provide a little soul balm; help create a more accurate perspective; and just simply loveify, which of course makes everything better.
And then I remembered it was the full moon. Which is the amusing part because I KNEW it was the full moon. I have a practice where I pay attention to such things and work with the phases of the lunar cycle. And in fact I had spent time playing doing a full moon vision board. I don’t do full moon vision boards every month, but I do them at least a couple times a month. When the moon is full in my Sun sign (which is where it was yesterday) and then again when it’s full during my Moon sign (which will be in Scorpio).
Full moons can be particularly powerful when they activate certain parts of your chart, and whenever the moon is in Cancer we are offered the opportunity to process emotional stuff more readily. Yesterday’s certainly did that for me. Took me to my watery depths. I’m entirely grateful that given it was the Full Ice Moon, I didn’t get frozen there.
But it is a kind of hedz up. Seems I’m concerned about time in ways I hadn’t been quite so aware of before, and now that it’s on my radar we’ll see how I can open this up a bit. Time has always been a tricky one for me, but I’m thinking this year will have a lot to teach me about it.
Speaking of tricky and while on the subject of the moon, I can’t help but mention another name for the full Ice Moon is full Wolf Moon. And that reminds me of the tale of the fox, the wolf, and the cheese. You can read it here if you’re interested.
The expression that the moon is made of green cheese hints at one being gullible like the wolf. But rather than thinking of the moon as being green in color, green cheese actually refers to young, un-aged soft cheese. However, I do like this 18th century depiction of the moon as a green-colored cheese don’t you?
Have any full moon tales to share? Ever been a gullible wolf or a smart fox? Love cheese? Find time a tricky companion? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Ah but I know that feeling! That is where my mantra, “one thing at a time” comes in handy otherwise, I start to have a slight panic attack! It is indeed a good thing to have friends to help ground us when need be!
You know, I’ve made vision boards (I need to do one for this year yet) but I have not heard of a full moon vision board! It sounds very interesting!
I have been telling my daughter – who is seven – about the time people thought the moon was made of cheese. I loved the story of the fox and the wolf! Thank you for sharing the link! This is the first I ever heard of it. Wolves are very special animals to me so it is difficult for me to see them tricked. 😉 Although I perhaps am gullible at times? I grew up with two wolves for pets. One was a timber wolf and one was a blind grey wolf. We lived way out in the country and they were family. I was so fortunate to have them in my life. I’ve always regarded the wolf as my totem animal.
Being a Wisconsin girl, yes I do love my cheese!
I hope you are finding your breath and relaxing. One thing at a time. We must remember to savor each and every moment for what it is. Hugs to you!
Oh wow Tracy – how utterly fabulous to have both have had wolves as companion friends and hold them as a totem! I’m gobsmacked with delight at that. And it amuses me that fox has been showing up for me for months now – I think I have a good deal to learn about their medicine. And I like the idea of writing our own stories and so I propose one wherein wolf and fox are friends united by their love of cheese. 🙂
Oh goodness … I could relate to this today. Time has been on my mind also. Anxiety has had its moments and the moon has been messing with my mind. So happy to not be alone in this crazy time 🙂
LOL – never alone Kama!
What a thought provoking post Deborah! I love what you said about taking deep breaths. I did just that yesterday as I was waiting for a friend to pick me up. She was stuck in traffic and cars were spinning out of control so she had no control of the situation other than to get off the freeway which she did. I was intentional and mindful about being present in the moment, breathing in energy and breathing out any negative thoughts or impatience. It was so grounding and helped me to keep things in perspective. Taking deep breaths is such a powerful tool. Thanks for the reminder Deborah.
A few deep breaths can create such a profound shift can’t it Nancy? I’m glad it served you yesterday, and I hope your friend was able to use them as well as I imagine her experience was mega-stressful.
Oh yes the old not enough hours in the day. I suffer from that as well. When it hits me next I’ll stop and do your breathing exercises Deborah. Thank you for the tip. I read the wolf and the fox story – it was new to me as well. Grinned when I read that the cheese was the reflection of the moon. So clever.
One of my very favourite movies is “Dances with Wolves.” I still tear up when I think about the faithful wolf.
Lovely post as always.
I keep returning to the moon as cheese image and it makes me laugh every time. And laughter, like deep breaths, is good for creating some spaciousness. So here’s to a year of conscious breathing, laughter, and lots of good cheese. 🙂