Earth Renewal Moon, January 3

Remember that from the Earth’s perspective, now is a resting time. The sap has retreated into the earth. The surface of the soil is cold. But down below it’s warm. This is the time when the animals hibernate. So even while you begin your New Year with all the hopes and dreams it deserves, save some time aside to also renew your energies as well. We’ve got ways to help you renew and replenish this New Year.

At this New Year, now is the time to replenish your energies. We often think now is the time to take on new things, but if you haven’t replenished your energies from last year; it’s going to be hard to get going on those New Year’s Resolutions.

Remember that from the Earth’s perspective, now is a resting time. The sap has retreated into the earth. The surface of the soil is cold. But down below it’s warm. This is the time when the animals hibernate. So even while you begin your new year with all the hopes and dreams it deserves, save some time aside to also renew your energies as well.

The best way to replenish your energies right now is to take some time to reflect on last year’s activities. This reflexive activity allows your unconscious mind to close out last year while looking forward into the New Year.

So during this Earth Renewal Moon time, take some time to reflect on your last year – 2006. Without making a big deal about the reflection, find 5-10 successes from 2006. Write them down. These successes are times when you felt proud, happy, satisfied, surprised, joyful, fulfilled, accomplished, etc. Be sure to write them down, because we will be using this list throughout the next few months, building on an exercise to set your energies for the New Year.

One way to get 5-10 successes is to set your mind to work on it as a background task. Take paper and pen around with you and as one comes to you write it down. To really make this work, you’ll need to carry paper and pen around with you for a few days and remember to jot down these successes. If you’ve been keeping a success journal as we’ve suggested in previous issues of Lunar Reflections then you can select successes from it. Another way to identify your 2006 successes is through a freewriting exercise where you sit down and write for, say, 5-10 minutes about this topic of successes in 2006. When you’re freewriting, don’t stop writing; just keep letting ideas flow out your pen/pencil. This freewriting process is designed to get at unconscious ideas by letting them flow while you keep you critic at bay by just writing.

You’ll be using these 10 successes throughout the next three months, so don’t skimp on this part of the renewal exercise.

With your 5-10 successes identified, the next part of this exercise is a visualization. Imagine that it’s March 21, 2007 – the equinox – the time when day and night are the same length of time. Where are you? Pick a time of day, where you are sitting, what you are doing? Perhaps you’re drinking a cup of tea or glass of wine. Be very detailed in your visualization. Now look back at the past three months of the New Year so far since January 2007. What have you accomplished? Take time to think about what you’ve done. Relish your successes. Once you’re clear on your accomplishments, write them down. Use the past tense.

The third part of this exercise is to repeat the visualization part of this exercise, but rather than imagine it’s March 2007, imagine out 2-3 years – instead it’s January 2009 or 2010. With playful detachment, ask yourself what is happening in your life? Allow yourself to imagine outrageous – even imaginary – events that have occurred, such as you’ve taken a vacation to Mars. Then write up this list as well.

Keep these lists handy, we’ll be asking you to use them in the Winter months ahead. Also realize that as you’ve taken some time to reflect on your dreams and aspirations during this Earth Renewal moon, you have also given yourself some renewal as well.