ritual Archives — the creative minimalist

January 31, 2018 By Darren Leave a Comment

Blue Full Moon Ritual Review

blue full moon journal page The saying, ‘once in a blue moon’ is used to denote something that happens rarely. Around this time, around the globe, it is time for a Blue Moon. This is the second Full Moon of the month. It is also the second Full Moon ritual review for this month. And, for once in a Blue Moon, I am pretty much on track with meeting the goals and objectives for this lunar cycle planning ritual.

If you want to know what this ‘lunar cycle’ is all about then you can read more here and there are several other related posts on the site.

vision board sticker
On my planning/vision board, just above my desk, I have a sticker with the current ritual’s goals. By the current Full Moon they should all be well on the way to bearing fruit and as the moon begins to wane I can tweak things to keep the fruit healthy. I’d best stop there, my metaphors are in danger of becoming mixed… and I’m not keen on mixed fruit.

Celtic Stickers

pLAnarchy will soon have some new stickers and sticker sets available. I have finally completed this set and I am very pleased with how they have come out. I’ll have digital and actual stickers available. Hopefully, this will be in the next couple of weeks, but I will let you know.

Celtic sticker sets

This Temple Eden Patreon/blog

I have begun posting on the Patreon blog for my music. The aim is to post regularly there and then decide what to offer those who are interested. I’m still undecided as to whether to make it a monthly donation or a per item donation. Actually, I am still undecided about a lot of things. That’s partly why I have only just begun to post there. However, the posting was only due to begin by now, so I am on track, if not as far along as I would like to be. I have decided to attempt FAWM, the February Album Writing Month. I usually attempt it every year and manage about 10 of the 14 songs required. It’s a good enforced discipline and I often end up with at least one or two songs I really like. And I have made a special FAWM journal to keep all the songs

Better blog ritual

This is almost there. I have broken down the steps and areas that I need to concentrate on to get the blog on track. I have been better at posting this month, even if I have been a little unwell, very confused and confuddled about certain things and generally been focused on other stuff. The plan, or idea, is to now break these steps into rituals or habits that I can do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. I am at the stage of searching for trigger points to kickstart the habits. I’m hoping that before the next New Moon ritual these will be in place.

pLAnarchy Business

The stickers mentioned above are just one aspect of pLAnarchy. I am taking things to the next level and moving things to a more serious footing. There is a lot happening behind the scenes at the moment and I’ll let you know more in the weeks and months ahead. However, just to keep myself accountable, I am currently up to my neck in business plans, financial forecasts, important meetings and other business type stuff – well, almost… I am using Pages, Numbers and my calendar more than I have recently. The relevant point here is that I have moved things to where I wanted them by this Full Moon.

I am very pleased with my progress in this ritual. The Blue Full Moon has arrived and with it a little lunar energy to keep me going on my goals. Do let me know in the comments of any rituals, habits or productivity hacks you use to keep your goals clear and focussed. I’m always on the lookout for effective ways of working (because I am quite bad normally, I lose interest far too quickly.)

Now, where was I with that spreadsheet?

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January 17, 2018 By Darren 2 Comments

Intentions for a Blue Moon New Moon Planning

new moon intentions for a blue moon While I slept the New Moon traversed the night sky. This means that it is time for my New Moon Intentions ritual. A time when I step back and plan things for the next lunar cycle. The idea, as mentioned before, is to plan and prepare projects to be born when the full moon arrives. The next full moon is one of those special ones. It’s a Blue Moon, the second Full Moon to appear in the same calendar month.

before the sun rose, my new moon intention was in progress Before the sun rose I was planning away. I want to build on the work I have done in the past couple of weeks. pLAnarchy and this blog are growing and need to be maintained in a way that allows for that growth.

I have a major decision on the near horizon and this New Moon prep will help with that. Things seem to be naturally slipping into place for the decision, but I need to push and see what else I can do.

I am aware that I have neglected my music. Therefore, getting around to dealing with how I share what I am doing needs addressing. Ideally, I want to use Patreon again, but I want to make it as easy as possible for people to hear and engage. Also, the day after the Blue Moon FAWM/February Album Writing Month begins. Yes, 14 songs in 28 days. I often say, No, I’m not going to attempt it. Then begin to attempt it on the second or third day and usually hit about 10 songs. I think it would be nice to plan for FAWM this year, so that’s on my additional New Moon list.

new moon intentions now on the dream board My main focus is now up on my board, above my desk. The plans and intentions are in place. The rest is down to me and any help the universe decides to throw my way.

I’d love to hear how you plan your goals? Let me know in the comments, what has worked for you and what hasn’t? And, may your plans run smoothly.

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May 1, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

Beltane a symbol not of our time

When was the last time we stopped and gave thanks for the local supermarket? When did we take a moment and think about safety and protection for the transportation of our food?

We have stopped believing in the old ways, the old gods, the old beliefs, as Neil Gaiman points out in American Gods.

Have we lost something? As some celebrate Beltane, they will give thanks and ask for protection for the newly ploughed and sowed seeds. Rituals of bonfires and other esoteric events create spells, enchantments and covenants to protect the land in order for it to bear fruit.

Yes, superstition… but why did that become a dirty word?

Many join in with these rituals without a care or an iota of faith or belief in what they are celebrating. Religion and spirituality have always had that element within.

I stand outside the town’s Co-op mini market. They won’t appreciate a bonfire lit in front of their display window. Will probably think I am one item short of a BOGOF, if I attempt to summon a spirit of protection in the entrance. But at the very least I should not take this shop, and others, for granted.

We abdicated our food production to the farming and retail industry. In return, we demand the right to eat. A human right even. We are able to obtain food and eat it. We don’t take part in the creative ritual, although we do offer a donation of coin in return for sustenance; an offering at the collection plate. This is contactless food production.

We swapped ritual for a transaction. We have lowered our very survival to a financial exchange. Let’s pray the system doesn’t fall apart.

As I think about Beltane, I think about what it has meant, and what it could mean. Is there any symbolism that I can use in my own ‘year’?

At the very least, I should not take what I have for granted. And I wonder, are there any symbolic bonfires I should be lighting this day, for there is no such thing as a mere symbol.

February 2, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

Candlemas – blessing our needs

candle and candlemas Traditionally Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after the birth of Jesus. It was when the child was presented at the Temple; the redemption of the first born. In the church year, it marks the end of Epiphany and one of the twelve great feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the Catholic rosary, it is the 4th Joyful mystery and the fruit of the mystery is purity and obedience. This marks the other aspect of the Temple visit, that of the ‘ritual purification’ of Mary after childbirth.

The name Candlemas came from the tradition of the priest blessing candles for use throughout the year. The populace would bring along their collection of beeswax columns and they would be blessed, a medieval ‘let there be light’.

What is my Candlemas?

Ritual and minimalism are related companions for me. The more ritual I have the more I focus on what I have and need to do. The more ritual the more I appreciate what I have and I get less distracted by meaningless wants and desires. Of course, that’s the theory if not the practice… or ritual!

Candles were vital in a pre-gas or electrical world. They were a need for the people hence the blessing of them (along with the light and its symbolism).

What do I need?
What is vital to me?
What do I need blessed?

Alternatively, as it is the 2nd February, you can celebrate Groundhog Day instead and predict the weather.

November 14, 2016 By Darren 2 Comments

Full moon revelations and it’s super

full-moon_instant For 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 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.