Welcome,
Friends.
To the Hunter Full Moon Body Relaxation Meditation.
The hunter's full moon traditionally signifies that it was time to hunt and stockpile food for the coming winter.
It was about gathering what was needed to sustain life and making sure the community would survive the colder months ahead.
As we reflect on this tradition.
We might ask ourselves.
Is there something we can gather and share with our community?
Whoever that may be.
It doesn't have to be something material.
Perhaps it could be as simple as an act of kindness,
Compassion.
A listening ear.
Or simply our presence.
Full moons are also a time of endings and letting go.
Is the seasons change?
We can reflect.
On the people,
Habits.
And experiences that have enriched our lives.
While gently releasing those that no longer serve us.
The longer nights of autumn invite us inward.
Giving us time to look back.
Acknowledge what's worked.
And make peace.
With what we're ready to leave behind.
In today's meditation.
Will sit beneath the hunter's full moon.
Listening to the gentle sounds of a campfire and crickets.
Will gather our community around us.
Offer gratitude for the connections that sustain us.
And then allow ourselves.
To relax.
Soften.
And let go.
So.
Find a comfortable position.
Either lying down.
.
.
Or seated.
If you're lying down.
Let your arms rest by your sides or on your belly.
If you're seated.
Allow your hands to rest comfortably in your lap.
Take a deep breath in.
And as you exhale.
Softly close your eyes.
Or lower your gaze if that feels more comfortable.
And begin to notice.
The natural rhythm of your breath.
There's nothing you need to change.
Simply breathe.
And notice.
Allow the breath.
To gradually deepen.
And lengthen.
And as you do,
Notice the body.
Beginning to soften.
And the mind.
Beginning to still.
Now,
In your mind's eye,
Envision yourself Sitting beside a campfire.
Beneath the light of the full moon.
The night sky stretches above you.
With the brilliant moon illuminating the landscape around you.
The autumn air.
Is cool against your skin.
Fire near you.
Feels warm and inviting.
You hear the gentle crackling of the wood.
As the flames dance and flicker.
In the distance.
Crickets sing their familiar nighttime song.
There's nowhere you need to go.
Nothing you need to accomplish.
For now.
You can simply Be here.
And as you sit beside the fire.
Imagine the people who make up your community beginning to arrive.
Family,
Friends.
Coworkers,
Neighbors.
Or perhaps those who've touched your life in unexpected ways.
Some may be sitting close beside you.
Others may be gathered on the opposite side of the fire.
You may even imagine someone who's no longer physically present in your life.
But whose memory continues to warm your heart.
Take a moment.
To look around this circle.
Notice the faces.
Familiar smiles.
The different personalities.
And experiences that have helped shape your life.
And as you look around the community you've built,
Allow your heart.
To fill with gratitude.
Gratitude for those who've supported you.
Those who've made you laugh.
Listened when you needed to be heard.
And even for those who've challenged you.
Helping you discover strength and wisdom you might not otherwise have found.
And recognize that you too have something to offer this circle.
Perhaps it's your kindness,
Your patience.
Your willingness to show up for someone else.
You don't need to do more.
Or to be more to earn your place here.
Your presence is enough.
And now gently return your attention to the campfire.
Let the warmth of the flames.
Begin to enter your body.
Feel the toes on your left foot.
Grow warm and soften.
Feel the gentle warmth.
Spreading across the top of the foot.
And the bottom.
Allow the arch of your foot to relax.
Let go of any tension around the ankle.
Your entire left foot is becoming heavy.
One.
And relaxed.
Now bring your attention to your right foot.
Feeling the warmth of the fire reaching your toes.
Spreading across the top.
And the sole of the foot.
Soothing.
And relaxing.
Every small muscle.
Allow your right ankle to soften.
Both feet together.
Are now warm.
Quiet.
And rest.
Bring your awareness to your lower legs.
Feel the warmth spreading through your calves.
And shins.
Let the muscles soften.
Releasing the effort.
Of carrying you through your day.
Your knees relax.
The muscles surrounding your knees let go.
Feel the warmth moving into your thighs.
Relaxing the front.
The back.
And the inner and outer muscles.
Let your thighs grow heavy.
There's nothing to hold us.
Let your legs and feet.
Breaths.
Now bring your awareness to your hips.
And pelvis.
Imagine the warmth of the fire gently loosening.
Any tension held in this area.
Allow your hips to soften.
Let the muscles between your pelvis relax.
Slowly bring your attention to your belly.
Notice the gentle rise as you breathe in.
And the soft ball as you breathe out.
There's no need.
To hold your belly in or out.
Keep anything tucked away.
Allow your abdomen to relax.
To be soft.
And relax.
Now bring your awareness around to your lower back.
Imagine the warmth of the fire spreading across your lower back.
Soothing the muscles on either side of your spine.
Allow the muscles to release.
And let the warmth travel slowly up your spine.
Through your middle back.
Into your upper back.
Feel the spaces.
Between your shoulder blades soften.
Your back is supported.
You can let go of the need to carry everything on your own.
Now bring your attention to your chest.
Feel your ribcage gently expand with each inhale.
And settle with each exhale.
Your breath moves naturally like the quiet rhythm of the night.
Allow your heart space to soften.
And perhaps you can imagine the warmth of the fire reaching your heart.
Reminding you of the love you've received.
And the love you've shared.
Bring your awareness up to your shoulders.
Notice if you're holding them up or drawing them towards your ears.
With your next exhale,
Allow them to drop and Let the tension melt away.
Feel your upper arms relax.
Followed by your elbows.
The warmth moves down through your forearms and into your wrists.
Your hands grow warm and heavy.
Relax your palms.
Soften each finger.
One.
By 1.
There's nothing you need to grasp.
Nothing you need to hold on to.
For this moment.
Your hands are free to rest.
Now bring your awareness back up.
To your neck.
Allow the muscles at the back of your neck to warm.
And soften.
Release any tension around your throat.
Let your jaw loosen.
Allow a little space between your upper and lower teeth.
Relax your lips.
Soften the muscles around your nose.
And cheeks.
Let your eyes rest comfortably behind closed or lowered lids.
Feel the tiny muscles around your eyes relax.
As though they too are warmed by the glow of the fire.
Smooth the space between your eyebrows.
Relax your forehead.
Allow your scalp to soften.
Your entire head is resting.
Your face is peaceful.
Your whole body is becoming quiet.
And still.
You feel warm,
Supported.
And it is.
Notice your body now from tips of your toes to the crown of your head.
Perhaps there are places that still hold a little tension.
There's no need to force them to relax.
Simply offer those places your attention.
Your breath.
And the gentle warmth of the fire.
For the next few moments.
Allow your whole body to rest.
Until you hear the sound of a bell.
Friends.
The fire continues to crackle gently.
And the crickets sing in the distance.
Above you,
The full moon shines steadily.
Casting its silver light across the gathering.
As you sit in a circle.
Consider what you might be ready to release.
Perhaps an old expectation.
Or a disappointment you've carried for too long.
Maybe a habit.
That no longer support you or Maybe a relationship has reached its natural ending.
Not everything is meant to accompany us into the next season of our lives.
And letting go doesn't mean that something was without value.
Sometimes we can honor what something has given us while recognizing it's time to move on.
I invite you.
To imagine placing whatever you're ready to release.
Into the fire.
Watch as the flames gently surround it.
You don't need to struggle with it or push it away.
Simply allow it to become.
Part of the past.
And as you watch the fire.
Remember.
That when we release what we no longer need,
We create space for something new.
Look around the circle.
One more time.
Offer a quiet word of gratitude.
To those who gathered with you.
And perhaps offer a word of gratitude to yourself too.
And now begin to notice the natural rhythm of your breath once again.
Feel the gentle movement of your chest and belly.
As you breathe in and out.
Perhaps begin to wiggle your fingers and toes.
Bringing a little movement back into your hands and feet.
And if you're lying down.
Maybe you gently stretch your arms overhead or.
.
.
Draw your knees towards your chest.
Moving in whatever way feels comfortable.
And if you're seated.
Allow yourself to make any small movements that feel nourishing.
Take your time.
There's no need to rush away from this peaceful place.
And when you're ready.
Slowly open your eyes or.
Lift your gaze.
Returning.
To the space around you.
Namaste.
