Facing fears

This February is a black moon and this means that there is no full moon this month - something that happens only every 19 years or so.


There is something about a month of darkness that makes me feel as though we are being tested and made to face our fears. I certainly feel as though I have been challenged and this is why I am writing this blog.


It helps me to work through my thoughts and there is magic in actually getting them out of your head and in some coherent form. Hopefully it will all make some sense and be of some use to you too.


Every month as the moon wanes we get this energetic opportunity to let go of what is no longer working for us and I find that it is at this time we also come up against our old selves, old patterns of thinking and resistance to change.


There is something of a Groundhog Day about this and it can feel frustrating when you are faced with the same issues again and again.


Letting go sounds like such a passive and easy thing to do - yet in reality there is a lot of work involved.


I see all of this in terms of yoga - our bodies make a great analogy for things we experience mentally . Our physical bodies experience pain and resistance when we push ourselves and so we get fearful of pushing too far and too hard. Yoga is just fantastic as it is the union between mind and body and breath and so when we push at our edges mindfully we really have nothing to fear.


In yoga, all we have to do is to be present and to feel. Feel the edges of our bodies, feel the expansion of the breath, be aware of how we feel in that moment and have love and compassion for ourselves.


I think we should always be proud, simply for showing up on the mat.


I’m trying to push my art business forwards and have been setting up new patterns of behaviour. I’ve been phoning shops and emailing them about my work and the potential of them stocking my necklaces and cards.


Believe me that this does not come naturally to me. I have resistance here. Some of it is down to fears of not being good enough, general self doubt and some of it is lack of practice.


I am learning to tackle this by being more yogic in my approach. I am trying to show up for this practice on a more regular basis. I am learning that progress is made even when there are days when it doesn’t feel like it and that it’s okay when you fall out of practice. It just means you have re evaluate what you can do to make it work.


I am a strong believer in momentum and flow and so my enthusiasm and love of my work seriously is helping to push me along.


The moon is also a great teacher as we can see how everything really is just a phase. My moments of self doubt and inner reflection are fading away and being replaced by a sense of hope for this new moon. I’m extra excited that the waxing moon will build to a full moon on my birthday on March 2nd.


There is something about birthdays that always make me feel happy and special! It’s really important to celebrate when we can and so I really want to feel bursting with joy! I can feel it now!


Anyway, it’s interesting how simply writing this has led me from feeling a bit dark and tired to feeling really excited and happy. Hurrah!


I hope that you set some awesome intentions for this new moon.
Love and magic.
Jacqueline