Under the Full Moon
by Margie Goldsmith
“When the moon waxes, it comes into its fullness, and that’s when people ask for abundance,” says Karen Janusz, fitness supervisor and labyrinth meditation facilitator of The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa in Carefree, Arizona. She adds, “As it wanes, that’s a perfect time to release the pain and clutter from your life, and for purging rituals because the light can illuminate those things that interfere with our spiritual advancements.”
Eight of us, dressed in our fluffy Golden Door bathrobes and standing outside by the spa’s labyrinth, are about to take part in the Full Moon Ritual, part of the resort’s “Carefree Spa Getaway” package.
My body has already been buffed, fluffed, steamed, and cleaned, and my aching muscles have been heated and kneaded and cloaked and stroked with Thai massage, Hot Stone massage, and acupuncture; but in spite of this magical setting where huge saguaro trees stand sentry over truck-sized giant boulders and gurgling water flows along rock-lined streams, I cannot slow down my mind. Instead, I think of the work I left behind and the things I have to do back home.
In my hand, I am holding a lighter and a piece of paper on which we were to write the things we want to release or change. I’ve just written down a big question mark, but what I want to know is, where do I go in my life? I’ve spent so much of it working. I never allow myself free time. “There’s a purpose to walking the labyrinth,” Janusz says. “Small miracles can happen here. It allows you to come to your own center, and because it’s the full moon, it allows you to shed light on what’s not working.”
In the center of the labyrinth is a pile of rocks and an iron fire pit. We are to burn our paper in the pit when we arrive in the center. But I want to also bring a stone to the center. I find the perfect pebble—rough on one side, and smooth on the other, just like me. I clutch it along with the piece of paper and lighter and walk the labyrinth’s path. I look up at the full moon as I walk, wondering if this whole thing is just nonsense. When I finally arrive in the center, I burn my paper in the fire pit. I want to place my pebble on top of the pile, but there are already two large stones there. I balance it between the two stones, and surprisingly, it doesn’t fall. It stays, perfectly balanced. And I realize, that balance is the answer to my life. Nearly skipping out of the labyrinth, I walk back towards my casita, stop by a saguaro tree, stare up at the brilliant full moon, and howl at the top of my lungs.
MOON RITUALS MONTH BY MONTH
January / Wolf Moon - Plan a ritual of protection around your home and family.
February / Storm Moon - Ask the Old Ones for help in planning your future.
March / Chaste Moon - Plant your mental desires.
April / Seed Moon - Physically plant your seeds of desire in Mother Earth.
May / Hare Moon - Plan a ritual to reaffirm your goals.
June / Dyad Moon - Balance your spiritual and physical desires.
July / Mead Moon - Decide what you will do once your goals have been met.
August / Wort Moon - Preserve what you already have.
September / Barley Moon - Give Thanksgiving for all the Old.
October / Blood Moon - Plan a ritual of Thanksgiving.
November / Snow Moon - Work on ridding yourself of negative thoughts and vibrations.
December / Oak Moon - Remain steadfast in your convictions.
For more information call (866) 397-6520 or visit www.TheBoulders.com
January/February 2009
