Moonspired: May-Be

The new moon is the beginning phase of each moon cycle. And with what we’ve all gone through so far this Spring, the seemingly never-ending winter weather, the highs and lows accompanying Mercury retrograde, potent eclipses, and more, it could not come soon enough, although it’s actually right on time. The new moon is usually a once-a-month event, sometimes twice. Even more accurate to say that it is an exact moment. It is the darkest time of the month. At the new moon, everything else in the night sky is most visible.

There are 13 moon cycles annually. But, by the count of our modern-day calendar, it can be confusing to keep track of the moon because the current calendar is not at all aligned with the moon cycles. For example, so far in 2023, the new moons occur in the latter half of the month, like now. The quickly shifting phases of the moon and accompanying variance in light at night begs us to view it more intuitively than the sun, which is clearly visible to us daily. But it’s not haphazard. There are very specific patterns in the phases of the moon, nightly, monthly, and even longer, in 19-year Metonic cycles. Some would say it’s as intense during a new moon as a full moon. Especially in that, it’s darker, and so we are naturally less aware when the intensity occurs. Of course, the moon is easy to see when it when it’s full, but it takes a bit more attention to follow the moon as it waxes and wanes.

To add to the variables, some cultures measure the new moon time at the black or void of the moon, like tonight. Others measure it by the crescent moon a night or two later. New moons can sometimes be seen in the daytime, depending on the horizon. The reason we don’t see the new moon at night is due to its alignment with the sun. Thus, in tropical astrology, it also occurs within the same zodiac sign. This means if we are in Taurus, the new moon is in Taurus, too. Tonight the new moon is in Taurus.

On our farm, we are still in Spring planting mode but basically winding it up at this new moon. Our month-old seed starts are growing strong. Another round of seeds to sew now includes more herb and the late-season hard-shelled squash. We will also replant a few other veggies that didn’t sprout in the previous plantings. As for farm chores, we are mending fences & cleaning up from all the winter storms. While they are still issuing burn permits in northern California, we are clearing the farm of debris with burn piles of many of the dead and downed tree limbs. We are making biochar and mixing ash into our compost. Many of our soil additives come right off our own land. We are also letting our goats graze on the cover crops in the cannabis gardens, moving them around with electric fences. Wooly weeders for the win! We see sage and many other flowers blooming, like dandelions, red clover, and California poppies popping up all over the place. The bulbs continue to be show stoppers with their once-a-year fancy blooms. We will start to see some strawberries soon, likely by the June strawberry full moon. It’s been a super late year getting things growing; we even had some unusual but not unheard-of cold rain and frost into the early part of May. Looks like warmer weather from here on out….

The new moon always symbolizes new beginnings, including, but surely not limited to, new ideas, new feelings, new behaviors, and new levels of consciousness. In the wild, animals are attuned to moon cycles. Some animals, especially those who are preyed upon, tend to be more active during a new moon when they are less visible. Others use the dark of the new moon to tuck in and wait for more moonlit nights. Natural light shifting with the moon phases can be subtle but potent. The animal nature of humanity seems to have been more in tune with moon cycles prior to electricity, among other factors. In ancient days, women menstruated and gathered to comfort each other on and around the new moon. Sometimes, even now, when a group of girls spends a lot of together, for example, at summer camp or on a sports team, the timing of their monthly cycles may synch up. Females of other animal species that use the light of the full moon to mate are also likely ovulating at the new moon, which may be monthly or seasonally. A new moon tends to be a time of going inward, getting ready, a time for patience, waiting, tenderness, a time of nurturing ourselves.

Some call the new moon the dark side of the moon. Look up tonight for some starry-eyed inspiration. We have many opportunities to renew and refresh ourselves, like at each new moon. A new moon is always opportune for setting intentions. And a May new moon is especially suited to seeking what is needed for blooming where we are planted, creating secure nests, and sewing visionary seeds. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson. We have the power to change our world from within. A change of perception can change everything! Is it good for me and good for the earth? As a rule of thumb, it’s a good question. Humans are Earthlings. We are bound to everything here on our planet, all interacting with the cycles of the sun and the moon.

It doesn’t matter what if any, religion you follow. Your traditions are, in some ways, likely already tied to the moon cycles. It is not a matter of belief, rather, it is about awareness. If you know where the moon is in its cycle, then you may better see how it affects you and the people and plants, and animals around you. The experience of this connection may act as a guide for navigating your life. Its influence is everywhere. “You and I are the force for transformation in this world. We are the consciousness that will define the nature of reality we are moving into.” — Ram Das. As time goes on, I believe more and more that the movements of the moon, along with the sun, the earth, and all planets in our entire solar system and far beyond, are involved with the orbit of the evolutionary cycle of humanity, as we all spiral forward in space together. It’s always the right time to check in with ourselves and our universe. We plant, we nurture, and we grow.

Become the seed now of the future you. Spring and Autumn are the transitional times, between the intensities of the Winter and Summer, that tend to have the most activity of the year in terms of growth. We can use this knowledge to accelerate personal growth as well. Spring is such a fertile time. Springtime is filled with possibilities. And this May new moon cycle occurs right at the very tail end of Taurus this year, so it contains gems of Gemini wisdom as well. We can be steady in our forward movements knowing this is a good opportunity to check in while course corrections are still possible. The stars support evaluating what works and what doesn’t, maybe so, maybe not, may-be.

At this new moon, wish upon a star, allow it to take root, then go get busy making that wish come true.

All photos courtesy of Martyjuana

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