As we navigate through the cold, long nights and gloomy days of January, it is worth exploring the spiritual significance of the full Wolf Moon. In various traditional cultures, each month has a full moon with a symbolic name that aligns with seasonal happenings and what people once needed to do for survival during that particular time of year. January's lunation is called the Wolf Moon, according to many Wiccan, English Medieval, and Native American traditions. The Wolf Moon represents the wolves that would howl on long nights during this time of the year, while the Cree people refer to it as the Cold Moon, and the Dakota call it the Severe Moon.
The full Wolf Moon represents a time that is cold, hard, and a little scary. For those who lived off the land, it was a time when food stores from the harvest were running out, and the abundance of spring was still far away, making it easy to go hungry during this time. Although many of us live in urban environments with plenty of food, there is still something severe about January. The holidays are over, and we may feel a spiritual hangover. The fun and connection that took place throughout December are gone, and the nights are still long, dark, and cold. It can be a dark time, both literally and figuratively.
Our vital energy is low in January, and although the light of the sun is beginning to wax again after the winter solstice, it is just barely there. If we set New Year's resolutions, they are best kept in the realm of dreams and intentions right now. New things are easier to start in the spring, especially when our intentions involve changing ingrained habits that give us comfort and a sense of safety. January can be a time of depression, and the third Monday in January is known as Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, for this reason.
To take care of ourselves during the Full Wolf Moon, it is essential to acknowledge our deepest hunger, which can often feel like we are howling at the moon. We should avoid ignoring our needs and pushing ourselves too hard, which only exacerbates our hunger and leads to feelings of failure.
To balance the dark energies of January's Wolf Moon, we can take a few steps. Firstly, we should meet ourselves as we are, without expecting to feel cheerful or energetic. Secondly, we should remove any shame or guilt for needing rest or alone time, which is natural during the darker half of the year. Thirdly, we should nourish our spirit with practices such as meditation and reflection that help us connect with our higher self or spirituality. Fourthly, we should nourish our bodies with warm, seasonal, feel-good foods.
We should be wary of New Year's resolutions that involve restricting calories or forcing ourselves to exercise in ways that do not feel right. Instead, we should engage in movement practices that we genuinely enjoy and acknowledge that we may not have as much energy to push toward certain fitness goals now, but we may have an easier time doing so in the spring.
Spending time outside during daylight hours, breathing fresh air, and finding beauty in nature can also help us during this time. Finally, if necessary, we should seek support from counselors, healers, or trusted friends and share our emotions safely, as holding them inside can make us sick.
Wishing you a happy Full Wolf Moon! 🌝
Comments
Post a Comment