Hmmm… maybe the word is “poignant” rather than “challenging” times. I’ve been feeling kinda tender this week, for a few reasons. I’m experiencing some letdown after our wonderful SoHarmoniums concert on May 20th and will miss being with my sister-songbirds until the Fall — singing has always been one of my favorite “therapies”.
Then, our older son, Ben, turned 40 this week which is a big deal for all of us! He’s having a great time celebrating with family and friends, and we’re having fun celebrating with him, too. (That’s all of us at his birthday dinner.) But I was caught off-guard by how emotional I’ve felt… looking at decades of special photos, reading lovely reflections about him on the KudoBoard we created (more about that below), even remembering my own big 40th birthday ritual and where I was at that point in my life.
And there’s the fact I’m also just feeling crappy with some ongoing cold/allergy thing. Anybody else dealing with that? It just saps my energy on every level.
So, when I realized that this month’s Full Moon on June 3rd is also called the “Strawberry Moon” in many Native traditions, it felt like the perfect dose of sweetness I need to embrace right now. Just like the saying, “we teach what we need to learn”, for me, I often “write what I need to heal”. (Hope that makes sense… my head is foggy and full of guck!)
Where in your life do you need to be more gentle with yourself, treat yourself with some extra sweetness and light-heartedness?
Tune into the Full Moon magic for some assistance
We’ll all get a little help with that as we approach the Sagittarius/Gemini Full Moon coming up this Saturday, June 3rd. Sag is a fire sign which propels us to explore and expand, to search for meaning and trust our intuition… and to do all that with a sense of joy, curiosity, and optimism.
And remember, the Sun is moving through airy, friendly, communicative Gemini from May 21st – June 21st, which means you may feel compelled to express what you’re discovered on your explorations. That can happen in conversations with special friends, in your own journaling, or maybe a blog like I’m doing!
And if you really want to dive into that eloquent, expressive vibe, definitely tune into I’ll be facilitating through the Wellness Universe AND live in Central Park on June 19th. Our theme will be “Re-connecting with our Inner Muse” and I guarantee you’ll get re-acquainted with your soul’s inner poet/writer/orator/muse… yes, She’s definitely in there!]
But before then, be sure to join us for my upcoming Sagittarius/Gemini Full Moon TeleMeditation this Friday, June 2nd at Noon ET — click HERE for details on how to join us. Hope to “hear” you then! (And if you miss it, contact me and I’ll send you the recording, or look for it on Facebook & Instagram).
Enjoy this month’s Deb’s Picks!
SPIRITUALITY WEEK NYC — JUNE 2-11
My old friend Nancy Slotnick turned me on to this very cool concept (definitely check her out at https://www.cablight.com) — it’s a community produced, citywide festival that will offer hundreds of events hosted by everyone from emerging practitioners to major spiritual centers. Check out their website and you’ll see a huge, eclectic array of immersive experiences focused on spiritual exploration through workshops, individual sessions, luminary keynotes and celebratory performances, both live and virtual. I’ll be leading a Full Moon Tele-meditation on June 5th and Nancy is hosting several terrific community discussions in Brooklyn. Looks like it’ll be perfectly sweet and nurturing to me!
AMAZING THAILAND FESTIVAL, World Trade Center NYC June 3-4
Another terrific festival the same Full Moon weekend! This one looks delicious for all five senses — wonderful food, Thai music and dance performances, artful fashion shows (including a drag show!) that exquisitely showcase Thai style, and demonstrations of Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, which is Thailand’s national sport and has been around for hundreds of years. And of course, you’ll be surrounded by all the bold, bright colors of the Thai culture. Thailand’s nickname is “Land of Smiles” which blends beautifully with this uplifting, expansive Sag Full Moon.
NY PHILHARMONIC CONCERT IN CENTRAL PARK Wed, June 14 8pm
Need I say more? These concerts of one of my favorite New York experiences — they’ve been doing them since 1965. Total bliss to picnic under the stars with good friends, listening to gorgeous music… capped off with fireworks at the end! And did I mention it’s free? I’m going to stake out a spot, so if you want to join us, let me know by June 12.
So, this is the group birthday card that got me so weepy this week! I was introduced to it by my wonderful SIL who created one for my brother’s birthday last year, then I did it for Peter’s 80th in the Fall. It’s super easy to set up (for $5.99… really!) then invite friends and family to fill it with their messages, photos and videos. Definitely sweet, in the sappy, emotional sense of the word, but what a wonderful memento. Just click on the link above to get started.
Of course, I have to give you a few of the terrific strawberry farms within a few hours of the city! Click on the image to find one that works for you. And while you’re at it, consider the beautiful symbolism surrounding these luscious fruits. in many cultures, they represent purity, passion, femininity, and healing. And due to it’s lovely heart shape, it’s associated with Venus, the goddess of love, which also makes it a powerful aphrodisiac. So go out and get yourself (and anyone else you love) a basketful!