“There is no insurmountable solitude. All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are. And we must pass through solitude and difficulty, isolation and silence in order to reach forth to the enchanted place where we can dance our clumsy dance and sing our sorrowful song – but in this dance or in this song there are fulfilled the most ancient rites of our conscience in the awareness of being human and of believing in a common destiny.” ~ Neruda
It’s mid-February here in Vermont. Once again. Each year has its subtle differences, and I learn so much from watching each little shift come around again. Whether it’s temperature and weather patterns I feel, or emotions and consciousness shifts I watch in myself and others.
This is part of the power in staying in one place for so long – I’ve heard that yogis do not stay in a place for more than 3 nights, because longer, and they’d create karma with that place.
Well, I have a lot of karma here, in Vermont, in New England. Whether I’m here to work it out, or I’m creating more of it – well, I’m sure it’s both. (Til next time…)
It’s not just the weather that returns.
Full Moon Feast, by Jessica Prentice, is one of my favorite books. A tome I turn to year after year, as the cycles go around. I just flipped open to the pages that align with this season, and came upon the section called “Hunger Moon.” I didn’t have to dive in, once again, very far, to feel the inspiration stirring.
My first thought was – “This idea seems antiquated, not really relevant to our modern lives.” Most of us can go to the grocery store any time we want, and buy almost any produce or product we dream of, at any time of the year. Even mid-February (and most-likely 24 hours per day.) Most of us are blessed not to experience lack or hunger in our modern lives, ever. So, this seemingly is a nice little chapter talking about past traditions, but not mine.
I had been thinking hunger, as in lack of food. That traditionally, at this time of year, the food stored from Summer harvests is getting low. It’s literally the bottom of the barrel of parsnips, or beets, or winter squash. And, as I’ve read, it’s tougher to hunt wild game because the snows are deep and cold, and the game is also scarce – maybe because only the strongest are roaming about, and many of the animals are in the deep sleep of hibernation.
Most of us are no longer as deeply reliant upon nature for our actual sustenance. But perhaps the samskara, or mental patterns, of fear and scarcity are still there, still affect us. This is currently my experience. And has been a pattern for the last few years as I’ve cultivated deeper awareness of it.
Cycles of collective consciousness
It’s no argument that our body/mind/spirit beings are influenced by many forces. Within and without. The planets (astrology), the food we eat, our environment (weather, air, season), the collective consciousness and thought forms, as well. One of my yoga teachers says that 99.9% of ‘our thoughts’ are not actually our own. This may sound woo woo, but when I mention this to others in conversation, many agree that this feels true. How about you?
I heard in a podcast recently that most people pass away on Mondays in January and February. Yes, partly it is the physical – the extremity of weather and the rise in rates of colds and flus on their weaker immune systems- though we can not discount the mental/emotional cycles throughout the year as well.
A young woman in our community recently committed suicide. A friend called me for support with debilitating anxiety. Clients I am working with are feeling a lot of fear around finances. Feeling deep sadness and compassion, my husband and I had a conversation about depression, and the cycles we have seen in ourselves, and within other members of our community over the past few years. This time of year just seems to be particularly tough. What is that? Is it the darkness, the cold, the slump after the holidays?
In my humble experience the Hunger Moon time of year seems to be a time when an ancient cycle of fear and scarcity arises. And perhaps it’s so tough because our modern lives are so isolating. Since we don’t outwardly see our community suffering in the same ways, we have trouble aligning with this natural rhythm, and struggle against it. Many things that come up are completely beyond our control, but or mental and emotional state may be.
This time of year there is a lot of waiting, stillness, an inertia.
We feel a lack, and then to bring balance, fear drives us to hoard what we do have rather than share it. We are coming to the bottom of our barrel. And if we feel alone, this can feel like the end, truly hopeless – and we lose sight that Spring is coming, will come, must come around again.
Perhaps if we are aware that this is just a natural dip, we won’t struggle so hard against it. We might use its gifts wisely.
In this world where seasonal shifts and even climates don’t matter much – greenhouses, international shipping of food products and medicines, electric lighting, climate controlled environments – there is less and less cause for pause in production of foods. We don’t have to go hungry. But I’m certain the quality of what is produced is lower. The nutrients lacking, the colors, texture, taste deficient.
Perhaps feeling this fear proves that our emotional body is still aligned with these patterns in nature. There is still a Hunger Moon cycle.
In mine I am trying to see this as an opportunity to find space in my days, rather than drive to fill every moment with work. To practice openness when I want to contract out of fear. To burn karma by allowing energy the build then release it back into the universe rather than inflame myself in anger. To feel grateful for what I do have. Time with my son. Grains in glass jars on my counter. A neighbor that offers raw milk for free. A friend who provides us fresh eggs. The list goes on.
I’ve been given time and excuse to pray and ask the universe for assistance. Opportunities to experience humility, in what ways exactly I do not know yet. My husband says ‘bring it on.’ I am not quite brave enough to challenge the universe like that, but I call to it for guidance and support in my surrender.
I feel inspired to share this with you, as you are part of my community. Not for a pity party, but out of hunger for connection.
How are you? Are you experiencing this Hunger Moon energy?
Feel free to list 5 things you are grateful for in the comments below.
~ When I asked a yogi how I should treat others, he answered, ‘What others?’ ~