Ritual 35: Monday, August 27, 2007

Full Moon / Lunar Eclipse

The Earth's shadow falls across the full moon in the wee hours of the morning tomorrow (or tonight, if you're a night owl) at 3:37 am PST. This total lunar eclipse puts the sun and moon in direct opposition, with the Earth sandwiched in between. Since the sun represents what we can see, and the moon represents what is hidden, it's time to ask yourself some crucial questions: How is your outer self competing with your inner self? Is it time for part of you to come out of the closet? Is there something in that closet you've been clinging to?

Examine your physical closet as a ritual means for taking a look at your subconscious, your metaphysical closet. Are there things in there you know you'll never wear but nostalgia or an out-dated identity keep you hanging on?

A full moon is a final hoorah before the cleansing cycle of the waning moon begins. An eclipsed full moon lends its power especially to decisions we make and actions we take in the spirit of letting go.

Pull open your closet doors and take a look. What's in there? There are probably the outfits you empowered at the start of our year . That's good news. What else is there? You know, the stuff that doesn't serve you. The jeans that don't fit. The shirt that gapes. The wedding dress from your first marriage when you're now on your third. The handbag from grandma that is just not your kind of retro.

Pick one thing you've been hanging on to. It can even be something you still wear, but know you'd rather not. Like "I hate this white shirt, but I need it for work." There are other white shirts in the world, and if you're dressing yourself with hate in the morning, you're not doing yourself any favors.

Set your selection where you can meditate on it. Why have you hung onto this thing? Guilt? Hope? Obligation? Fear of not getting a better replacement? Can't be bothered to chuck it? Find the underlying reason for lingering with this closet skeleton.

"Because my mother gave it to me" is only part of a reason. It's the surface. Use the moon's power to look beneath the surface. Remember, you chose something you know doesn't serve you. What's the feeling that comes up when you reflect on why you have kept something you know doesn't serve you just because, for instance, your mother gave it to you. That feeling, that's the reason.

Now put on that piece of clothing or adorn yourself with that unwanted accessory and take a look in the mirror. Say aloud:

This is what [state your reason] looks like.

Hang out for a while in this old sentiment. Parade around the house if you like. And strategize how you will discard this item. Before you remove it, be sure you have decided where it's going besides back into your closet. You could give it to a thriftstore or to a best friend who will love it. You could burn it. You could pack it in a box marked "estate memorabilia from grandma; give to first born child" and put it in storage. Set a date when this will be done. To make the most of this eclipse energy, this must be handled before the new moon on September 11. The sooner the better.

The time for [reason] to end has come.
I take this off and it is done.

Now get yourself out of that thing! Leave it out overnight, and dispose of it after the early morning lunar eclipse. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT put it back in the closet even for quick storage. Keep it where you can see it until you've released it.

After the ritual, share your experience in our community section.