Why Moon Circles?

You may have noticed that Moon Circles have slipped into the mainstream!  Come on, admit it!  You thought they were for those hippies who wore flower crowns and didn't shave their legs (gulp...yep that was me).  But there is much research, anecdotal but powerful nonetheless, that the moon cycles have an influence on the earth and our human nature.  So what is it all about?  

The circles are an expression of the divine feminine and they seem to be centered around women.  Makes sense as we have our cycle which can be, when balanced, concurrent with the moon cycles.  My cycle was all over the place...but in retrospect so was I.  Pay attention to that.  So here we have a moon with cycles, women with cycles...and earth with cycles.  If you just sit and mull that over for a bit it is a powerful and beautiful thought.  And thus the power of Moon circles.

Historically, woman have gathered during the moon cycles as a ritual, to connect with their divine feminine, to share and to support others.  Inner growth the powerful goal. Since woman, with their monthly cycles, are also going through hormone shifts , thus shifting physically and emotionally, taking the time to sit in reflection, intention setting, releasing what no longer serves, expressing gratitude, and taking action is therapeutic on many levels. Above is a picture of my April New Moon Circle!  Looks perfectly normal, right? We are  not drumming naked under the moon! It was very powerful and much manifesting occurred that month!

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Let's start with the New Moon. The new moon is a time when farmers traditionally like to plant.  It is a time to plant a new thought or idea and watch it germinate!  So with ritual, meditation, group process and conversation, intentions are set and the group consciousness supports each member!  I add the energetic use of essential oils to my New Moon circles to expand the possibilities and support the process! Using essential oils energetically is very powerful!

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A full moon circle has a bit of a different focus! It is a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude for your abundance and to release what no longer serves you, making room for future manifesting!  

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​​Similar to a New Moon circle, candles are lit,  writing in journals is invited, and meditations occur. One distinction is the focus on acknowledging gifts and expressing gratitude!  ​Using flash paper (to stay safe when "playing" with fire), participants are invited to list all of the things (physical or emotional) that no longer serve their highest good, and take turns burning the paper!  This is a powerful ritual for release!

Dr. Christiane Northrup, a women's health expert and author of the upcoming book "Making Life Easy: A Simple Guide to a Divinely Inspired Life," said, "Women gathering around the moon cycles is one of the most ancient things we could be doing. It's helpful and healthful." 

"Connection with other women is more important to our health than exercising and eating right," says Naama Barnea-Goraly, M.D., former Stanford brain researcher and founder of Telle, an app to improve female friendships. "Yet most women feel like spending time with their girlfriends is an 'indulgence' and don't make enough time to nurture the female friendships in their lives." According to the ongoing Harvard University Grant and Glueck study, people with solid relationships live longer than those who are lonely. And their lives may be better, too. Looks like Naama is correct!​ 

While some women attend as a way to reflect inward, others go simply for the raw emotional connection to other women. I can say that of the 8 New Moon circles that I lead this year, The participants attend out of a desire to focus their attention on their needs and to connect with others. During my circles, the participants, and myself as the leader, left each circle optimistic, energized yet calm, and feeling very connected to each other!  And boy did we manifest!  Many come back each month!  
​So jump in and sport your flower crown and long flowered dress (just kidding although that is sounding very lovely to this aged hippie) and attend a moon circle!  I know you will be glad you did!​

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