Reaping And Releasing During Full Harvest Moon
From the chapter, "The Honorable Harvest" in Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass".
“The guidelines for The Honorable Harvest are not written down... they are reinforced in small acts of daily life. But if you were to list them, they might look something like this.
Take only what you need.
Take only that which is given.
Never take more than half. Leave some for others.
Harvest in a way that minimized harm.
Use it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken.
Share.
Give thanks for what you have been given.
Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken.
Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you noticed how much bigger the moon looks the last few days? That's because it has come closer to the Earth on its elliptical orbit - what astronomers call "perigee" ... and what we regular folks call a supermoon. The moon cycle closest to the Fall Equinox has long been called the time of the Harvest Moon and this year, that full moon will rise tomorrow (and continue to appear full for another couple days).
I grew up on a farm and know from experience that farming requires patience, tenacity and a whole lot of faith in Mother Nature. Not being a farm girl any longer. I have been considering lately what my personal harvest is. What am I reaping on my spiritual journey these days?
Three weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to attend some workshops with two Mayan spiritual leaders, Denise and Andy, who had come to Virginia Beach to teach and offer healing sessions. I am so grateful the opportunity came my way and I had the time and funds to participate. I was able to book both a healing session and a Mayan birth chart reading. Since then, I have had renewed energy and faith in myself. This is very much a harvest for me. Plus, I stayed at a hotel right on the beach and the ocean has always been one of my rejuvenating, happy places.
Harvest is also a time to offer our gratitude for the abundant food we have in our lives. In the chapter from "Braiding Sweetgrass" above, Robin Wall Kimmerer also writes
"Collectively, the Indigenous canon of principles and practices that govern the exchange of life for life is known as the Honorable Harvest. They are rules of sorts that govern our taking, shape our relationships with the natural world, and rein in our tendency to consume--so that the world might be as rich for the seventh generation as it is for our own."
How can we modern grocery store shoppers, who are far removed from the land and the plants and animals, begin to reciprocate - give something back? Perhaps the only way we can "repay" them is through offering our gratitude to those beings who gave of their energy to bring that meal to our table. Maybe, too, by donating money to support conservation efforts or by becoming more conscious consumers or by volunteering our time to help clean up parks, or waterways. Every little gesture of gratitude adds up for the collective good.
I hope you enjoy this music video "GRATEFUL: A Love Song to the World"
by Nimo Patel and Daniel Nahmod: https://youtu.be/sO2o98Zpzg8?si=jUnB2_59sRAANKQB
In the same way farmers plow under the inedible cornstalks after harvest, this can also be a time to release what no longer serves our soul’s journey. We can also follow the example of trees, those who let go of their leaves in Autumn, to inspire us to release old habits and structures that once may have helped us survive and grow but now may be holding us back. This includes societal and family structures - for sure!
So at this Harvest Moon, you may ask yourself...What am I grateful for? What am I reaping now from actions taken earlier - physically, mentally, spiritually? What am I ready to release now and let Fall away?
Just for fun I am going to share again this short video I made 3 years ago. It's about a little leaf I came across just hanging in mid-air as if saying: To fall or not to fall, that is the question!
https://youtu.be/LpY7QbxTocQ
Wishing you a Happy and Honorable Harvest!!
LinDel