As I write to you now, the sun is cracking through thick gray clouds and looks deceptively warm. We have been waiting for spring in the PNW, and after an atmospheric river of persistent rain and chilly temperatures, we now find ourselves in a modest summer. The early petals of rhododendron are past their prime, wilting and browning on the branch. But the blackberries and fruit trees are in full bloom and some are beginning to swell at the bud with the promise of fruit. 

 

The cycles of contraction and expansion in the natural world feel exceptionally potent now after the general stagnation of the last two years. When we don’t have a litany of immediate obligations to attend to, it is easier to tune into the rhythms of our environment. We notice the amplification of our cultural waves and emotional trends. We also feel more strongly the restrictions and limitations that bind us from progress. Thankfully, the energy of early summer offers us a freedom to inhale, expand, stretch out and loosen up after the contraction and focused energy it took to grow through spring.

 

The last full moon of spring, or first full moon of summer, is called the Strawberry Moon for the early fruits of the season. We are a few weeks out on strawberries here, but you can almost taste the sweetness in the humid air. This moon is also known as the Honey Moon for the first yield of golden bee elixir, but also because in Europe this was traditionally a time of marriages and the subsequent celebrations of which between Beltane and Litha. 

 

A honeymoon is a playful time out of time, when things are slightly out of context of the “real world.” It offers space to explore identity, to enjoy life without mundane stressors, and to dream about the future. In relationships, we call the first three months the “honeymoon phase” because of the amplified excitement of a new relationship, the exceptionally rose-colored glasses, and the fire of attraction. This Full Moon is offering us some of the same delicious, expansive energy.

 

 

 

 

In the sign of Sagittarius, this moon seeks the higher truth. We may be feeling more philosophical, unafraid of the bigger picture. There’s a desire to set and reach new goals, and we may even find ourselves shooting for the stars. A lot is happening in the realm of communication, spurred by the Sun in Gemini, and we are now seeking an objective for all of this talk. We identify with our beliefs, but still know there is more to learn. Although this moon is square Neptune—potentially leading to unrealistic desires or distraction—we are more likely to be seeking something transcendental. A sextile with Saturn grounds us emotionally, and coming off of a trine with Mars, we should be feeling a freedom in our expression and confidence in our problem solving abilities. 
 

What have you been growing into and where would you like to go? 
 

 

 

 

 

Next Sunday is Juneteenth, a day of celebration in the United States as the symbolic end of slavery. Although chattel slavery wouldn’t be outlawed nationally until December 1865, and the last enslaved people would be liberated in early 1866, it was on June 19, 1865 that Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, TX—one of the last confederate strongholds. Centered around African-American traditions, history, and culture, Juneteenth is a day to revel in music, food, and community and to honor steps toward progress. We are still far from being a healthy united collective, but I believe that if it happens, it will only be through sharing experience and valuing diversity. 

 

 

 

Later next week is also Litha—the celebration of Midsummer in pagan tradition, and the longest day of the year. Right in the middle between a Full and New Moon, it is an opportunity to honor the growth that has occurred since the Winter Solstice; that which has been sown, come up, and is being nurtured to produce a resource for the rest of the year. Giving thanks, both to your own commitment and hard work as well as the help from invisible and tangible forces, generates stronger feelings of happiness and optimism. 

 

It is just as important to receive gratitude as it is to express it. Andrew Huberman suggests hearing, or writing down and reciting a story in which you or someone you identify with directly received gratitude. So, pair up with a friend or friends, make a bonfire or light some candles, and share stories about why the other person/people positively impact your life. When it is your turn to receive, really hear what this person or people have to say to you. Let them look you in the eyes, hold your hands open on your lap and welcome their gratitude and love. It’s a vulnerable practice, and for many of us taps  into feelings of lack in our self-worth. Contrary to how it may feel in the moment, these practices actually boost our confidence and nourish our potential.