Lessons from the Beaver Super Moon

A Beaver, the Full Moon, and My Ancestors walk into a bar . . .

Okay that was just a little ridiculoulsness because we could all use more humor right now. If you know what you get when a Beaver, the Full Moon, and my Ancestors walk into a bar, lemme know : )

 This full moon is called the Beaver Moon becuase it's the time of the year when beavers build their homes and gather what they need for the winter. It was also the time of hunting beavers.

If we lived the way our ancestors did (and some people do still today), We'd have to live by these Natural Cycles to stay alive. 

The flip side of the privilege of not having to live by them is losing connection to Rhythm and Ritual. A feeling of being unrooted and a desperate searching among many in this country (Turtle Island/US) for connection, that oftens ends up in harm, appropriation, pedestalizing and tokenizing Indigenous people. 

My ancestors lived by the Moon, using a Lunar Calendar. Though  I don't have the understanding for many of their rituals, due to lack of shared experience and lifestyle, any connection we can find to Natural Rhythms are regulating to our whole selves. I truly believe so much of today's dis-ease is a lack/loss of that connection. 

The moon affects water (think of the tides). People are 60-70% water, and Plants are 70-90% water (!), so it only makes sense we'd be highly affected by the Moon. 

For years, I basically ignored the Moon's effect on my body, mind, and mood. Finally it sunk in that I really don't sleep well around Full Moon time and I never want to go out around the New Moon, when I just want to introvert and everyone at the store seems cranky and low energy. New Moon gatherings never work for me.

How do you feel aroujnd the different Moon phases? Respond and let me know. 

Knowing that ritual, in collaboration with Natural Cycles is regulating (it's in our DNA), we can plan (and Plant!) by them, whether it's Gardening, Gathering (People, Food, or Herbs), or Medicine Making.

I always draw the current Moon Cycle on the label of the Herbal Medicine I’m making (to look like the part of the Moon illuminated) because I really do believe it absorbs the energy of that time. I could tell you what each cycle’s energy is for me, but I think it’s more important for you to discover what it means to you. Let me know in the comments!

We don’t have to make Medicine right now; Medicine comes in all forms. It could be putting a jar of water out under the Moonlight and drinking it in the morning, adding a nontoxic Flower, herb, or Stone; taking a walk in the Woods, having a Fire, lighting a candle, journalling, reflecting, planning with intention for the next Moon Cycle.

As I was writing this, a friend told me about the Thai festival Loy Krathong, which just happens to be be tomorrow. It’s an opportunity to offer Gratitude to the Water Goddess and ask for forgiveness for polluting the Waters, honors the Ancestors, expresses general gratitude, and makes wishes for the future. I wonder what the world would look like if we all had rituals aligning with Natural Cycles.

The world is rough right now. If you’re at all empathic/empathetic/human, your nerves are probably frayed and on high alert often. We’re all exhausted, touchy, and scared. Seriously, it’s not just you.

So I won’t ask you to add one more thing to your life. I encourage you to start where you are. If you can manage one tiny thing, standing under the Full Moon-light and soaking it in, drinking water left in a jar under the Moon, making Herbal Medicine, drawing a picture of the Moon Phase on the label, and observing and letting me know the energy it takes on; lighting a candle, or going for a walk in the golden Autumnal Glory, it has the power to change the world for the better.

We could all use some  more regulating, and reconnecting with Natural Rhythms is a huge step in that direction toward retuning to our natural state of Health & Wholeness.

Observe how you feel at different times in the Natural Cycles and plan around them. It's an important step toward Social Justice and Decolonizing/Reclaiming your Time Sovereignty. 

The world needs you, Connected, Regulated, Rhythmic. I need you, here with me, doing the good work. 

Thank you for tending to yourself to heal the world, one Ritual at a time.