the creative minimalist

darren r hill : writer, minstrel and journal keeper

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The path to hell is paved with Lenten intentions

meh at least there's coffeeI began so well. The ritual. The cross of ashes. The desire to stop. The desire to deepen that spiritual relationship. The knowledge that I can be a better person. The intention of being that person. The journey didn’t last long. A couple of days, a day, hours… less?

Then again, isn’t that the way this ought to be? A journey. A journey with false paths. A journey with stumbling blocks, crevices and the occasional rock fall.

seeking wisdom image from my journal

One reason (excuse?) is an illness. A virus came and walked alongside me for a while. We were obviously close friends. We shared everything. For an introvert, friendship – close friendship and intimate sharing – can be exhausting. I’m still in recovery. The virus has moved on to others, virus is so fickle.

I had planned good things for February. The plans, like my Lenten walk, have gone off track. They are there. Milling around in the woods, in the darker places. I’ll get a light and go find them. The woods are full of birch trees.

Beth / Birch Celtic oracle card

The Celtic ‘Beth’ represents a sweeping away, a purification. It’s also about determination and patience. Beth a metaphor for the metaphor that is Lent. It seems the woods are the place to go. To find my plans. To find my path.

  • Lent leads to Easter
  • February into Spring
  • Lull into life.

 

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New Moon Intentions – the snow moon

new moon intentionsThe February full moon is known as the snow moon or the hunger moon. Today is the day for my new moon intentions. Sending out my intentions, dreams and desires into the universe. A sort of solar, or lunar to be more precise, to do list, that reaches its full power when the moon is full. It’s also the Chinese New Year, the year of the Rooster. So a grand time to be thinking about my goals.

I have been journaling, meditating and thinking about the word ‘fallow’ as a focus for February. This links well with the concept of the hunger moon. If we don’t allow fallow time and space our ‘whatever’ won’t grow.

With this in mind, I am wondering what to leave fallow this month. At the same time, I am about to launch A Ticket To Write and continue to develop pLAnarchy. February is also FAWM – February Album Writing Month. 14 songs in 28 days… well, it is a new moon intention moment, so I will give it a go.

For a lean, hungry and fallow month, it seems February is already quite congested. Therefore, a final intention is to find some space, find a field to leave fallow and recharge.

When the snow falls and we can’t do as much we can use that time to rest. If we don’t recharge, our well will become dry, and for creative people, that is especially important.

Time for me to find my fallow field, make my intentions and wish everybody a happy Chinese New Year.

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Time for the wolf full moon

full moon revelations stickerI read that the current full moon is a ‘wolf’ moon. All around the world, but particularly by Native Americans, names are given to the full moon. Each one signifies something special. The ‘wolf’ protects and gathers food for the pack. For me, this full moon signifies a pulling together of things. Of finally being ready.

pLAnarchy has landed

The image above is of my planning and journaling stickers that are now for sale on Etsy. Click the image and you’ll find the shop. It has taken years of planning, but it was only the realisation that I could do them myself that finally got me to this point. pLAnarchy currently has stickers, digital downloads and handmade journals with more on the way.

The full moon and the new moon are both in the current sticker set available. I am finding it very helpful to use these cycles in my planning and productivity. The time frame seems to work for me; longer than a week but less than a month, with two focal points.

Naming the full moon?

The naming of the ‘wolf’ full moon, adds a little gravitas to a regular celestial event. Naming has had implications throughout history. It has given power over things, it has raised the importance of things and it has given focus to events. I like the idea of naming my full moons as I go through the year planning and preparing. I’m not sure whether to use the names that have already been given, although there are many variations across the world, or create my own, with my own personal significance (I think I will give it a go).

You can still see the current full moon tonight. As I look up at it I will think about giving it a name.

Have you any ideas? What will you call this full moon?

I found out about the moon having a name here.

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Full moon revelations and it’s super

full-moon_instantFor those with more than a passing interest, you’ll know I set forth some new moon intentions. Well, today is the full moon and time for those intentions to be realised and actioned. How has this new planning ritual worked for me? Since sending out my prayers and intentions, the road has been rocky and filled with several hurdles. Some of which I climbed, others I broke through and some I simply walked around. I’ll admit there are still others that I seem unable to pass – this is normal, it’s life.

However, things are coming together and, as the full moon rises, I have all the pieces in place to realise a lot of what I intended.

A Ticket to Write

A Ticket to Write is about to launch with its first class and lots of other fun stuff too. The first class is ‘Write a short story’. For those who want to write but have no idea where to start, this course is aimed at you. I’ll lead you step by step into a writing habit and, at the end of the class, you’ll have created your own short story. I am so excited by A Ticket to Write, it has been a long time in development but I think the wait has been worth it. There will be more classes coming each month.

pLAnarchism

If I am excited by A Ticket to Write then I am absolutely _________1 with this next project.

planarchy-logo

pLAnarchy is about turning my planning / journaling obsession (addiction? – Ed) into something substantial. It will be emerging like a bear out of hibernation very soon. This bear will be hungry, in a bad mood but also a little cuddly. It is time for a new movement and pLAnarchism is it! More here soon.

This Temple Eden

I am writing and recording plenty of music and some new songs. I don’t know where I am heading with my music. But sculpting new sounds and weaving words is the intention. Now the light of the full moon can illuminate the path for the next few weeks, I might discover a musical path to follow.

Grimly Tales

Fiction ideas are coming together. Grimly Tales will soon be appearing in an enigmatic form. I want to push fiction and self-publishing boundaries with it. This is very exciting but taking some time to get it right. So much fun.

Finally

With recent events, both worldwide and personally, I have a feeling some people’s new moon intentions (or hopes and dreams in general) have not been realised in ways they hoped. We throw our prayers out but we don’t know how they will be answered. However, as the moon illuminates where we currently find ourselves, it is up to us how we react. As you and I stand in the light, how will we respond?

1 Insert whatever expletive you want here.

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