Preparing this email in honor of the full moon reminded me of another retreat, in Belize. We didn't have a full moon that week, in fact, there was just a sliver, so the stars shown bright and clear. After dinner I often walked down the beach to explore nearby docks and enjoy looking up..There were a few docks available, but the one I was drawn to was narrow, old and rickety. In the darkness, you couldn't see the end of the dock, so it looked like you were simply walking out into the vast, endless ocean. It was scary.

Who better to hold hands with and face the unknown darkness? We stood there a long time treasuring a moment that lasts a lifetime.  It's been seven years since that night and we've moved through those and many other challenges- as witnesses and friends.

But that doesn't mean we aren't at times still afraid.

A recent eye infection, a course of weaponized antibiotics, poor gut biochemistry, and the power of the eclipse, sent me reeling. My insomnia and anxiety triggered fear and panic.

I felt both disappointment for myself and immense compassion. I was terrified but in some way also fortified because only I could get through it.

I've hosted a lot of retreats since Belize and one of the rituals we've practiced is to light a candle during the full moon to remember our time together. I don't know if they've continued to do it, but I have.

In honor of the full moon tonight, I 'm also taking time for ritual. Rituals can act as the punctuation marks in our life, providing us with a sense of structure. On the grand scale, they support a narrative of our lives, building a bank of shared memories and shared experiences.

If you're interested, here are some suggestions for creating your own.

Take a salt bath
Put the full moon’s energy to work for you by immersing yourself in a warm bath infused with a handful of sea salt, a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and some sprigs of fresh lavender, rosemary, or a handful of rose petals.

Meditate on what you wish to release
While it’s more traditional to get rid of things you no longer need during the new moon, the full moon is also a good time to work this kind of magic. Think about it like this: Whenever you get rid of something, you make room for something new, which is a good use of the full moon’s energy.  I sometimes write this on paper and release into fire.

Charge your crystals and jewelry in moonlight
Both of these have the ability to hold a lot of energy. On the night of the full moon, wash your crystals and jewelry in warm (not hot!) soapy water, and dry well.

Make your own Moon water
This is a new practice shared by a friend. Moon Water is not simply water that has been illuminated by the moon; rather, it is a container that has been infused with the magical energy of the moon. Think of it as a channel through which spiritual aspirations can be communicated, a channel through which we can connect with the Moon's deep influence on both the natural world and on ourselves.

I put mine out for two nights in full view of the moon in a glass container.  I also bless it and ask Spirit to infuse it with energy for my greatest good.

True confession: I emptied my dark moon (eclipse) water into a planter because I was spooked by the power of this recent transition so I am no expert here. :) 

I encourage you to create your own rituals to help ground and make meaning of your own life's ebbs and flows.

As I learned recently, evolution is not something we "arrive" at or finally achieve.  It is a process, like peeling an onion, that allows us to continue growing, opening, and surrendering to what is.

Humbling, yes. Worth it?  Absolutely.

On this full moon and all others, blessings and love.  Tina