Alone In Her Presence: Harvesting Under the Blood Moon

Last updated on: October 8, 2014 at 8:00 am by Erick DuPree

Alone In Her Presence: Harvesting Under the Blood Moon 2014-10-08T08:00:32-04:00 Erick DuPree

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Harvest season is upon us: a time when the Earth relaxes into her most sacred space, a veil between waking and a deep slumber. Taking our cue from Earth’s most precious cycle, communities around the world will honor and celebrate this transition, welcoming ancestors and releasing into the roots of the Earth intentions towards Spring’s great return.

I am writing this column from a quaint coffee shop in Philadelphia, PA, dressed for the first time this season in my favorite cashmere sweater. It’s a little threadbare, a well-loved but also well-worn reminder of where life has taken me. Looking out the window, I see the leaves beginning to turn from emerald green to ocherous yellows and oranges. I see the squirrels’ tails becoming thicker with fur as they forage for food, the birds with their feathers fuller. All remind me that slumber is upon us.

We are in a gentle dance of the Goddess’ ebb and flow of life. Every year at this time I find myself able to relinquish the things that no longer serve me and invite the process of Harvesting the Self. Here is a moment to retreat, reflect, and reconnect with this time of transformation. Earth in her manifold wittiness reminds us that nature outside is manifesting with our nature inside.

The Blood Moon is rising today, and this lunar eclipse, like Earth’s changing season, is an example of how the universe can perfectly align. Let us embrace this powerful moment to create practices and set intentions. As we come to review any regrets, mistakes, or challenges made over the past year, our contemplation is offered to the Goddess as a learning opportunity. When we acknowledge behaviors and patterns, we welcome them to be replaced with more artful, graceful, or just actions in the future. What is the conscious, constructive, and compassionate life you want to manifest this Harvest season under the Blood Moon? I offer this meditation, an except from my forthcoming book, Weaving Moonlight: Lunar Mysteries, Meditations, and Magic for the Soul.

Harvest Blessings

Find a quiet spot, maybe in front of your altar or sacred space. Invite a moment of conscious breathing; feel your energy center and relax into the earth below you. Have an index card and a pen with you.

After centering yourself, contemplate the question:

What do you have gratitude for this year?
What abundance are you harvesting?

Write your answer on one side of the index card. Take a moment to invite more conscious breathing and consider one or two of these next questions, writing your thoughts on the other side of the index card.

Is there a mistake you made or regret you have?

How did you learn from it? What steps will you take to behave differently in a similar situation in the future?
What can you offer that will create more balance in your life?

Now take the card and burn it as an offering of the self to the Blood Moon. Welcome the transformation of fire, a symbol of purification, and the energy needed to create transformation. Watch the burning, feel your heart and soul align with the earth, sun, and moon in this Lunar rite. When it is done, acknowledge the stillness of the night and the time you took to connect with yourself and these intentions. When the ash has cooled, bury it in the Earth. Visualize that as Earth returns to slumber, your intentions for a positive life will return with spring.

The invitation is ours, unwavering, to manifest changes in our life: to return to love, to return to self, and to walk more resplendent in the world. Let us harvest the blessings and weave the moonlight of empowered surrender.

Alone In Her Presence is published on alternate Wednesdays! Subscribe via RSS or e-mail.

Alone In Her Presence

Previous Post

September 24, 2014

Alone In Her Presence: The Goddess Is In The Dirt

Next Post

October 22, 2014 Alone In Her Presence: Halloween - Inviting the Secular

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alone In Her Presence Columns Editor's Picks Health and Wellness Holidays Interfaith Magic or Magick Nature News Paganism Prayers, Poems, Blessings & Stories Ritual and Practice Theology, Ethics, Philosophy Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 June 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz