Welcome to the Hunter's Moon.
There's something rather magical about an autumn full moon.
As the days grow shorter and the evenings draw in,
The moon,
It seems to bring a different kind of light into our world.
It's a softer light,
A quieter light,
And it's one that invites us to slow down and notice the beauty of the changing seasons.
So,
This October,
We welcome the hunter's moon.
And traditionally this was a time of preparation.
The harvest had been gathered,
And people turned their attention towards the colder months ahead.
Maybe we can take a little inspiration from that ancient rhythm.
A moment to consider what has nourished us.
What we are ready to release and what we'd like to carry gently into the season ahead.
So find your comfy space warm and cozy.
Allow your shoulders to soften.
Let your hands rest easily and just take a gentle breath in.
Followed by a slow,
Comfortable breath out.
Letting go of any stress or tension.
Just simply allow yourself to arrive in this moment.
So,
It is a beautiful October evening.
The last traces of daylight are fading from the sky.
Deep amber is giving way to a dusky rose,
And then to the rich blue of approaching night.
You see yourself resting comfortably beside a peaceful lake.
The air is carrying that unmistakable scent of autumn.
Damp earth.
Fallen leaves.
The faint,
Woody fragrance of trees settling into the cooler season.
Across the lake,
The dark silhouettes of woodland rise against the horizon.
And above them something extraordinary begins to appear.
It's a magnificent golden moon.
At first,
It seems to rest upon the distant treetops.
It's so large and luminous.
Its warm amber glow is spreading across the water.
And as it rises,
There is a beautiful ribbon of reflected light that is stretching right towards you.
Tiny ripples catch this moonlight and it's turning the surface of the lake into a thousand shimmering fragments of gold.
As you rest beneath the hunter's moon.
Just imagine that its gentle light is inviting you to reflect.
On the season you've been living through.
Those moments of joy.
Those achievements.
Unexpected kindness.
There may have also been challenges,
Changes or times when life has asked a great deal of you.
But there's room for all of it here.
Nothing needs to be pushed away and there's no need to make anything more beautiful than it was.
Just simply acknowledge the wonderful life that you've been living.
Just take a moment to think of something that has truly nourished you recently.
Maybe a friendship,
A conversation.
Those moments spent in nature.
Or maybe a practice that helped you feel more connected to yourself.
And just allow that memory to come forward.
And just notice how it feels to remember.
So,
The hunter's moon,
It reminds us of a season when people gathered what they needed to sustain them through the winter months.
Maybe that is something we can do something within ourselves.
Gathering those moments that have strengthened us.
The wisdom that we've discovered.
The love.
That we've received.
And those kindnesses that we've shared.
Just to recognize what continues to nourish us.
And now maybe there's something you'd like to put down.
An expectation that has become heavy.
A worry.
That has occupied more of your attention than you'd like.
Or simply the feeling that you must keep moving,
Keep doing,
Keep achieving.
You don't need to make anything disappear.
You are just giving yourself permission to loosen your hold.
Just like an autumn leaf releasing itself from a branch.
Turning slowly through the evening air.
And then coming to rest upon the earth.
So look once more towards this golden moon.
Notice how it illuminates the landscape.
And remember that the trees,
They don't need to be in blossom.
The fields they don't need to be full of summer flowers.
Because the world is beautiful in this season,
Exactly as it is.
And there's so much wisdom in that for us.
Because?
We,
Too,
Move through the seasons.
There are times of growth.
Times of change.
Times when our energy feels abundant.
And those times when we need more rest.
And each has its own place.
And each deserves our tenderness.
So take another gentle breath in.
And just slowly breathe out.
Just quietly or out loud,
Repeat,
I honor the season I am in.
And welcome the peace that it brings.
Just feel the echo of those words deep into your being.
Wonderful.
So now the moonlight is resting softly across the lake.
The trees are standing peacefully beneath the night sky.
And the quiet strength of the earth.
Is preparing for winter.
So just allow yourself to share in that stillness for a few moments.
You are resting under the hunter's moon.
Wonderful.
So just return to the natural rhythm of your breath.
Jetty flowing in.
And gently flowing out.
Roll your shoulders if that feels good and give yourself a gentle stretch.
And carry with you the beautiful reminder of this hunter's mood.
You can treasure what has nourished you.
You can release a little of what has become heavy.
You can make room for the quiet gifts that are still waiting to unfold.
So thank you so much for sharing this moment beneath the hunter's moon with me.
And may this changing season bring you warmth,
Wisdom and moments of beautiful peace.
Until we meet again.
Take gentle care of yourself.
Namaste,
My friend.
