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September Harvest Moon

By Robert McDowell

When I farmed for many years in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, we always looked forward to September’s Full Harvest Moon as the reward for our spring and summer-long labors. The last of our crops were ready for harvest, and we could reflect (if all had gone well) on  work done for the greatest good. At that time, we felt so connected to the land and the passing seasons, and the moon seemed to appear as a shimmering crown on that effort and revelation.

Like most of you, I don’t live on a farm now. There’s a small garden near by, but no fields and half-acre gardens for the dinner table. Still, the desire to connect and stay connected to the land hums at our core, and the Moon and all the growing things still remind us if we look and see.

The other morning on my walk, I noticed some leaves were beginning to turn, and I thought about how so many trees will soon lose their foliage for the winter, leaving us with a bare and poignant reminder of the harvest come and gone.  So I stopped and leaned into a gnarly oak tree that towered over me. Reverently, I placed the palm of my hand on the living bark, and as often happens when I commune with a tree, I felt its pulsing energy. My palm tingled with electrical sensations that traveled up my arm and into my shoulders and neck. I felt almost as if I were part of the tree, which of course I was, and always am.

It’s strange when I forget this. Trees are our brothers and sisters. They’ve been our parents and our children. They appear to be so different, yet like us they are children of the earth. We are meant to eat this earth and be eaten by it. We hold and protect the ground, and we keep the sacred places. Trees have the long view of time, and they are built for patience and meditation. No matter what anyone does, it’s impossible to distract a tree. A tree will laugh at you if you try it. A tree will also hold you up, while by climbing a tree we worship it.

We trim trees up, helping them to breathe easier and look smarter. If we could do it in the visible world, we would date and marry trees. We would definitely move in with them. Spiritually, if we’ve journeyed far enough, we do both of these things and more. The kiss and embrace of a tree is dazzling. A tree’s canopy is a perfect hat. A tree even turns the act of dying naturally into a work of art. Because of trees, the way their limbs dance and embrace and move, we can read the wind. There is nothing sexier than a tree shaking rain from its hair, and there is nothing wiser than the counsel of trees.

On this Full Harvest Moon, perhaps you can also commune with your nearby trees. Thank them. Enter into dialogue with them. The image of their green fullness will soon be leaving you for winter’s duration. Connect with them now as they prepare to go to sleep through the gray, cold months. Bring their greenness inside you and keep it well.

Here is a celebration of nature from the Green Woman, the Green Man, and the Green Pen. May you embody such stories and tell them.

 

From the Green Pen

 

On a holiday when I was alone, I
Walked through dawn to the edge of town.

It was so quiet and still,
Not even the usual dogs were out.

At my turning point
I stopped under a wisteria arch,

Umbrella of green, purple
And humming of bees.

Then she appeared to me,
A green figure shimmering

Coming down to me
Out of leaf dust and supple branches,

And she put in my hand
A beautiful green seedpod

Shaped like a stylus. It fit
My fingers as if it was made for them.

Long, tapered, firm
Yet soft as velvet, it was swollen

With all of the stories of the natural world,
And I, trafficked in spirit, was made to understand

That they were mine for the telling,
Or not. So I begin.

Filed under: Uncategorized

About Robert McDowell

Robert McDowell is the author of five books of poetry and the Amazon.com bestselling Poetry as Spiritual Practice: Reading, Writing, and Using Poetry in Your Daily Rituals, Aspirations, and Intentions (Free Press/Simon & Schuster 2008).

Comments

  1. InnaLeigh says

    Sep 19, 2013 at 9:39 am

    This is a great idea. I find that as crazy as the world can be, the more time I spend in nature… The more magical my surroundings appear to be.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      Sep 19, 2013 at 10:58 am

      I couldn’t agree more!

      Reply
  2. mamta says

    Sep 18, 2013 at 10:36 am

    I have just been for a walk under the trees after several days, and I was leaning against a tree with my palms resting on the trunk – this is something I love to do but I had not done it for a while. I got back home and read your blog and felt really glad to have done it today of all days. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      Sep 19, 2013 at 10:59 am

      You’re welcome! Placing my palms on a tree, I often feel a tingling energy waving up through my arms. It’s restorative.

      Reply
  3. deborah duda says

    Sep 18, 2013 at 8:29 am

    I’ve found that if you lean your back against a tree and ask a tree to take any negative energy in you to the center of the earth to be transformed in fire, it will do it. Bless our friends the trees for all their gifts. Happy Autumn and aloha.

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      Sep 19, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Yes, that’s a great practice! Our energy joins with the trees and the earth.

      Reply
  4. Linda Smith says

    Sep 16, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    This is so perfect for the space/place that I inhabit at this moment in “time”. I planted trees in our yard 30 years ago; a mother pine and a father pine and an “auntie” ash. Since then the family has grown with peach, and apple, lemon and lime, pomegranate, apricot, plum and fig, and the ever happy kumquat. And then there is the avocado that we all tend with care and bless and caress and encourage to keep on through the summers heat. Fall will let us all rest, and reflect; and as I start the winter fire (outdoors in my sunny clime) with pine cones and needles from my parent trees and then stoke the fire with apple wood from the Mother Apple who gave her harvest abundantly before she returned to the Gaia’s embrace, I will look deep into the inky sky. Beneath the canopy of my stately kin I will listen to their stories; the telling of them? We shall see.

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      Sep 19, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Thank you, Linda, for sharing your inspiring arbor.

      Reply

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The Moon is in its
Last Quarter Phase

in the
Sign of Pisces


Today's Lunar Aspects:

  • Moon sextile Uranus, 7:54pm  May 23 2022
  • Moon conjunct Neptune, 12:41pm  May 24 2022

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.