gratitude

Simple Full Moon Ritual

Ooh! One of my favorite things to do on the Full Moon is to set time aside for ritual.

When you first start working with the moon it is best to keep things simple.

It is so easy to get carried away with life and forget to take a moment to slow down, express gratitude, reflect on your New Moon intention, and/or simply enjoy the present moment.

The Full Moon allows you to take this time.

Here is a simple Full Moon Ritual that you can customize and make your own:

Just Me & the Moon (no supplies needed):

  • This can be done outside or inside.
  • Find a place to sit comfortably with a straight spine. If you don’t think you will fall asleep, you can also lie down.
  • Take at least 3 deep breaths in and out of your nose. Or set a timer and breathe deeply for 1 minute. Then allow the breath to relax.
  • If the sky is clear, take some time to gaze at the full moon. If not or the moon has not risen yet, simply close your eyes and imagine a full moon above you.
  • Express thanks for being here right now. Express thanks for anything else you are feeling grateful for.
  • Close your eyes.
  • Imagine the light on the moon coming down into the crown of your head. Imagine that silvery, cool energy moving down your face, over your shoulders, arms, chest, back, belly, hips, and down both legs.
  • As the light moves through your body, imagine tight areas relaxing, dark areas being healed, and blocked areas being opened.
  • Imagine that the light surrounds your body too. Bask in this light.
  • You might like to set a timer, play music, or stay as long as you want.
  • When you are ready, begin to deepen your breath again. Bring your awareness back to your body.
  • Notice how you feel. If any feelings, ideas, or thoughts came up, then take a moment to jot them down.
  • Thank yourself for taking this time. Thank the moon for her healing energy.
  • Know that you can move forward with grace and ease because you took this time for yourself.

How to customize:
  • You can visualize a specific color coming from the moon or notice if a different one shows up in your visualization. Look up the healing properties of that color.
  • If you need some physical healing, allow yourself to have the moonlight focus on a particular area. Imagine that is bringing healing energy to that area.
  • If you need to release a negative habit or memory, imagine the moonlight going into a dark area and shining a healthy light there. Giving you the feeling that you no longer have to hide behind that habit or hide from that memory.

Any of these customizations can be taken deeper.

You might like to ask out loud or in your head to be shown the next steps to take. Trust that by taking this time for yourself tonight that you have raised your vibration to match the healing or opportunities you desire to come to you.

The first part of this is super simple because I believe it is important for you not to get caught up in supplies, astrological signs, a beautiful Instagram shot. While I enjoy these things myself, the whole point of following the moon is to slow down.

When you slow down, your body and mind have a chance to catch up and blend everything together.

So I hope you take the time to sit under the moon and allow her silvery light to connect you with the real you.

One of my favorite place to look up the dates, times, and names of the full moons is: https://www.almanac.com/astronomy/moon/full

Happy Thanksgiving – Free Gratitude Cards Printables

Happy Thanksgiving! I have spent this month noting what I am thankful for and wanted to share with you. I also created these cards that can be used all year round. Feel free to cut them out to use for Thanksgiving. Each card can be read on it’s own or be used as a prompt to expand on what you are thankful for in your life.

I am thankful for the seasons: Living in Chicago I feel that I have always been aware of the seasons and thankful for them (sometimes hard in the winter). This fall has felt extra special now that we are moving to Arizona where the change of seasons is not quite as drastic. I love how the way we feel, how we dress and our activities change with each season. Something I hope I always embrace!

I am thankful for family: This is a common one around the holidays but with our pending move I have been very grateful for the family I have gained by moving to Chicago and marrying my husband. I will miss them all very much and look forward to finding fun ways to stay in touch. I am also very grateful for my family in Arizona that I have not seen regularly in over a decade and for the opportunity to grow closer. (Can’t wait for another hug from my mom!)

I am thankful for memories: I have spent a lot of time lately with Chicago friends reminiscing about good times spent to together over the years. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful memories!

I am thankful for now: Being a yoga teacher I have learned the power of being in the present moment and the happiness that it can bring. This is very challenging for most people including myself. All we have is the present moment and I am happy for all of the wonderful people and opportunities in my life right now.

I am thankful for passion: Everyday through my work on Handmade Success I am surrounded by people who are passionate about their work and their community. I am so inspired by them. I hope to use this blog to help discover and share my passions with you!

I am thankful for kindness: Whenever I turn on the news I feel overwhelmed by the negative events going on in the world but I am always uplifted by the kindness shown for the people in these horrible situations. Everyone benefits from kindess and I love seeing it shared.

I am thankful for imagination: This one is dedicated to my 4 1/2 year old son, Simon. I am SO thankful for his imagination! He created a whole bunch of projects while he was home sick a couple of weeks ago that included a jack-o-lantern dressed up as Santa Claus, a zebra zoo, and Star Wars at the beach. Talk about thinking outside of the box! I am grateful for his creativity and will continue to nurture it.

I am thankful for change: I am sharing this as a way to look at a difficult situation or one that is not satisfying. I do yoga to change the way I feel, I am moving to change the environment that I live in, I constantly change my attitude about the things that are not in my control. Ah, the power of change!

I am thankful for enthusiasm: This one is dedicated to my 18 month old, Isaak. He does everything with such enthusiasm that it always puts a smile on my face. He has enthusiasm for bananas, me understanding that he is telling me he needs a new diaper, being picked up from daycare, seeing his daddy and brother, and playing with the kitties. He has such excitement for everything in his life and I am so thankful for that because it brings me joy and reminds me to have a little more enthusiasm too!

I am thankful for friends: In good times and bad, it feels so good to have friends who you can talk to or hang hang out with to make you feel that all is right with the world. I am blessed for all of my friends near and far.

I am thankful for support: I receive support from everyone in my life. The support I have experienced over the years from my yoga students has really been amazing. I have a different perspective about the relationship between a yoga teacher and students after working with so many of the same wonderful people over the years. I am so thankful for this unique relationship.

I am thankful for dreams: I am a total dreamer! Sometimes I have beat myself up over being more of a dreamer and less of a doer but the moments I spend dreaming are the ones that fill my heart with joy and make me happy to be alive!

I am thankful for courage: Each day my two little boys show me the courage to learn something new and the feelings of pride that can come from overcoming your fears.

I am thankful for love: Love comes in so many forms but I want to dedicate this one to my husband. I am very grateful for his love for me. He is so amazing, caring, smart, funny, and loving. He loves me and I love him. Perfect!

I am thankful for health: Both of my parents and my brothers had varying degrees of health issues in the last year. I am so thankful for their current good health and the good health of everyone I know including me. This can easily be taken for granted until we do not have it. I try to be aware of all of the things I am capable of everyday because of my good health.

I am thankful for laughter: Ah, yes! Life without laughter would be so dull. I am at that wonderful stage in which there are tickle parties everyday in my house and I love the house filling up with giggles. Laughter carries my worries away makes me feel alive. I am very thankful for that!

I hope you find the time to reflect on the many blessings in your life. Please know that I am very thankful for you and the support I receive by you reading my blog. Just click on the images above to print them out. Enjoy!

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