new moon new year

Happy New Year! Doesn't it seem auspicious that the new year, already brimming with possibilities, also begins with a new moon? It's very exciting. This year I continue my efforts to synchronize myself with the moon and other rhythms of nature -- with my lifestyle, the things I make, gardening, and even my inner work.

A new moon enhances and strengthens any kind of beginning. A full moon is a time of completion and acknowledgment. And the dark moon is a time for inner discovery. This will be a kind of template for me -- and you, too, if you wish to join in -- to refer to throughout the month. It may change or expand with time, but the focus will hold true.

And so I begin. Each new moon I draw two cards for insight, one from each deck -- a ritual that I've practiced for a long time. I see the cards as an unencumbered method of communicating and being honest with myself. Last month, both of the cards I drew had a theme of strength, which was unsettling at first. I wondered why I would need to be strong because life was easy-going at the time. As the month unfolded, however, it proved to be difficult and pretty darn sad at times. I returned to those strength cards over and over to reread their messages and I think they helped.

I recently watched Sanna make pomegranate juice with a regular citrus juicer, a new technique for me -- I've only ever made pomegranate juice by putting the seeds in the blender and then straining them out of the liquid. This was much nicer and it tastes sweet and delicious.

Beginning anew is a good way to describe my sewing project. I'm returning to the black velvet long cloth with new ideas. It was started a few years ago during one of the first classes I took with Jude. Blogging was new to me then, on-line classes were new, and stitching freely with no pattern was really new -- lots of things have changed.

A dye bundle was made. I rolled and steamed a scrap of wool with eucalyptus leaves & stems, and pomegranate parts -- to be completed and unrolled on the full moon.

I thank you for visiting. I'm only doing things I love to do today and being here is one of them. Looking forward now -- it's going to be a great year, isn't it? xo