New Moon Wishes and Goals

Happy Chinese (lunar) New Year! Today marks the first new moon of the new year. For a few weeks now, I've been talking about this time of year being a great time to either re-invigorate or to start work on small changes that might bring about increased vitality and harmony. I first became interested in using the Chinese New Year as a goal setting tool when I read an article by Katie Weber. Katie Weber is a Feng Shui constultant and writes a fantastic e-newsletter called The Red Lotus Letter. I tried to find that original article but wasn't able to. You might check out her website though which is full of cool insight and inspiration for increasing your life energy flow. www.redlotusletter.com She also has lots of fun info about the Chinese New Year.

In that article Katie recommended making wishes or setting new goals with each new moon throughout the year. In many traditions the new moon marks a period of re-birth, increasing energy and growth. On the other hand the period of time between the full moon to the next new moon phase is recognized as a period of release, surrender, letting go and increased sensitivity and receptivity.

The added bonus of coordinating your New Year's resolutions, goals, intentions or wishes with the cycle of the moon is that you can use it throughout the year. Each new moon can act as a reminder of this years goals and intentions. You can also use it as a "pump" to keep the energy flowing to your intentions throughout the year. As the moon grows from new to full, you might work on the action oriented aspects of your new moon intentions. What can you actively do to promote positive changes for yourself? Let this two- week phase be a time of increasing action and energy. This is the planting, changing, growing, manifesting phase of the process of change. As the energy of the moon, wanes from full to new again, you might focus on surrendering a bit. Allowing life to lead the way in a sense. What can you let go of? Where can you surrender and soften to allow energy to flow. Make sure that you also focus on appreciating the small changes you have made. Make sure you take time to appreciate the positive changes you've made. True gratitude is one of the most empowering force in the universe.

The pulsation between action and surrender is essential for all growth! Everything in you, and everything in nature pulses with life. Our hearts beat with a steady rhythm of contraction and expansion which moves life energy through our bodies. Our days pulse between night and day and between winter and summer so that all things can sustain themselves through growth and with deep rest. We can only live by alternately breathing in and breathing out. When making life changes I think it's just as important to pulse between actively pursuing your goals and allowing yourself time to be more gentle with yourself and appreciate not only your progress but the way that life also has a way of helping you out when you really commit to change.

Here's to your new moon wishes. May this year be full of blessings, loving connections, and personal joy.