The Quickening

This morning (08:36 UT) saw the full moon, also known as the Quickening Moon. According to information sourced from Druid Network’s website, the Quickening Moon only comes once every four years. At each of these moons we review the past seven years:

“The reason for this is that every seven years we have renewed through regeneration every cell in our bodies. The new may be crafted by the instructions of the old, but change, healing, adaptation make significant alterations.

Spend time through this moon considering and writing a review of the past seven years, thinking about the physical changes that have happened in your life, and the emotional and spiritual journey that you have been walking. When you have done it, check what you retain in your life that is older than seven years. Is it necessary to keep it? How long is the visible and tangible trail you are leaving (dragging) behind you? Make sure that you release what can be released. Make sure you are living with as much freedom as you can.”

Elsewhere, however, February’s full moon is apparently always known as the Quickening Moon. Jeanette Leblanc on her blog, Crunchy (On the Inside), has this to say about  it:

“The full moon in February is known as the Quickening moon, it marks the official end of winter, and the quickening, the renewal of all things. While the skies are still grey, and the weather is cold, beneath the surface life begins to secretly stir. This moon phase is a time of abundance, ripening and completeness, heavy with fertility and female divinity. It is a time when the potential of all things begins to stir towards birth in spring, a time to work on our own inner power and confront personal truths in preparation for birth. This moon sheds enough light to help us see into our darkness, so that our energy can make its way to the surface to prepare for growth and healing.”

Regardless of whether it’s once every four years or every February, I find both of the above statements interesting. Just last night, during my regular four mile power-walk, I got the strange feeling something was afoot… but couldn’t quite put my finger on what: like the calm before the storm or something. It was cold and the sky was cloudy (so no viewings of the Aurora Borealis — boo), but nevertheless, despite straying no farther than the streets of my local village and neighbouring town, the feeling of anticipation and expectation was so palpable, it bordered on the eerie.

As a long-time outdoor exerciser I’ve grown particularly sensitive to the changes in the seasons. It’s so subtle, so imperceptible, however, that it’s nigh on impossible trying to explain to sedentary folk who spend their lives cooped up indoors in front of the telly that the quality of light or air has changed indicating a shift in the seasons and cycles of Nature — spring isn’t only marked by a gradual lengthening of the days.

So it made a lot of sense to me, this morning, reading about the Quickening Moon; because that’s exactly how I’d describe what I felt last night — a quickening. Change was quite literally afoot as I glanced down and spied crocuses, hyacinths, and other springtime flowers bursting forth in gardens and along verges.

The first quote feels particularly relevant, however, as I moved into my first house on Friday 13 February 2004 in what marked a new chapter in my life (although I didn’t see it like that at the time — I was heartbroken, depressed, and somewhat chubby around the edges). Being honest, I forgot all about this (the date I moved into my house) until I started writing this post. Scary how time flies. I’d split up with my boyfriend not long before Christmas (or rather, he split up with me) and just qualified as a life-coach. I had no idea what direction my life would take. All I knew was things had to change.

So it seems appropriate and timely for me, today, to reflect on my experiences of the past seven years, much of which I share at length in my book. Back then, I was a lost soul with no substance, no sense of self, no inner core. Didn’t know where I was headed, how life would turn out. I was trying my best to move forwards, but all the while my insecurities and unconscious wounds kept dragging me back, dragging me down. They were dark days. But something kept me going. God knows what.

So I’m rather hoping today’s Quickening Moon, these next seven years, marks a new phase in my life. Unlike the insecure lost soul back then, I’m ready for new challenges and adventures. Unlike the insecure lost soul I once was, I’ve found my footing, walk taller than I did back then. I just hope I have the strength, courage, and stamina to continue along this all-too-often precarious path, be true to my deep Self and fulfil my destiny with all the grace I can muster.

:::

One final note: I received an email this morning via my website. At first I wasn’t sure what to make of it, initially finding it creepy (stalker-ish, if the truth be told) and even mocking it on Twitter. (I think partly because I don’t know my father, so found it a little offensive — although I doubt the sender intended it to be.) But throughout the day I’ve kept going back to it, mulling over it, reflecting upon it. Now, I actually find it quite moving if I read it as poetry rather than prose; approach it in terms of its connotation rather than its denotation.

I’m descended from West African tribes-people who innately know there’s more to life than meets the eye. Let’s just say that I, and my family, have had more than our fair share of inexplicable and somewhat strange (for want of a better word) experiences over the years.

So last night, before I fell asleep, I had a chat with my ancestors, asked for some guidance on a particular matter that’s recently weighed heavy on my heart. More often than not, I receive feedback in the form of dreams; a song on the radio; an ‘out-of-the-blue’ comment from a stranger: which is why something tells me that, whatever the ego-oriented (read: conscious) motivations of the sender, there’s more to this message than meets the eye…

Whoever sent it please don’t answer this or say anything else — I just wanted to say, ‘Thank You’:

Thea, My Child,

~

You may not know me,

but I know everything about you.

Psalm 139:1

~

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.

Psalm 139:2

~

I am familiar with all your ways.

Psalm 139:3

~

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.

Matthew 10:29-31

~

For you were made in my image.

Genesis 1:27

~

In me you live and move and have your being.

Acts 17:28

~

For you are my offspring.

Acts 17:28

~

I knew you even before you were conceived.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

~

I chose you when I planned creation.

Ephesians 1:11-12

~

You were not a mistake,

for all your days are written in my book.

Psalm 139:15-16

~

I determined the exact time of your birth

and where you would live.

Acts 17:26

~

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

~

I knit you together in your mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

~

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

Psalm 71:6

~

I have been misrepresented

by those who don’t know me.

John 8:41-44

~

I am not distant and angry,

but am the complete expression of love.

1 John 4:16

~

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.

1 John 3:1

~

Simply because you are my child

and I am your Father.

1 John 3:1

~

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

Matthew 7:11

~

For I am the perfect father.

Matthew 5:48

~

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.

James 1:17

~

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

Matthew 6:31-33

~

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

~

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

~

My thoughts toward you are countless

as the sand on the seashore.

Psalms 139:17-18

~

And I rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

~

I will never stop doing good to you.

Jeremiah 32:40

~

For you are my treasured possession.

Exodus 19:5

~

I desire to establish you

with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:41

~

And I want to show you great and marvellous things.

Jeremiah 33:3

~

If you seek me with all your heart,

you will find me.

Deuteronomy 4:29

~

Delight in me and I will give you

the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

~

For it is I who gave you those desires.

Philippians 2:13

~

I am able to do more for you

than you could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

~

For I am your greatest encourager.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

~

I am also the Father who comforts you

in all your troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

~

When you are broken-hearted,

I am close to you.

Psalm 34:18

~

As a shepherd carries a lamb,

I have carried you close to my heart.

Isaiah 40:11

~

One day I will wipe away

every tear from your eyes.

Revelation 21:3-4

~

And I’ll take away all the pain

you have suffered on this earth.

Revelation 21:3-4

~

I am your Father, and I love you

even as I love my son, Jesus.

John 17:23

~

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

John 17:26

~

He is the exact representation of my being.

Hebrews 1:3

~

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,

not against you.

Romans 8:31

~

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

~

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

~

His death was the ultimate expression

of my love for you.

1 John 4:10

~

I gave up everything I loved

that I might gain your love.

Romans 8:31-32

~

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,

you receive me.

1 John 2:23

~

And nothing will ever separate you

from my love again.

Romans 8:38-39

~

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party

heaven has ever seen.

Luke 15:7

~

I have always been Father,

and will always be Father.

Ephesians 3:14-15

~

My question is…

Will you be my child?

John 1:12-13

~

I am waiting for you.

Luke 15:11-32

~

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

:::

Thea is author of the inspiring memoir Running into Myself. Buy a copy from Amazon UK, Amazon US or, better still, order a limited edition signed copy direct from her publisher here (also ships worldwide).

“Thea’s personal journey is utterly compelling. I couldn’t put her book down. Thea manages to make Greek mythology not only understandable, interesting, and relevant to our lives today, but shows how it can be utilised as a tool for self development. She introduces ideas and ways of thinking that broaden your mind, and lights the way for others to follow.”

— Melinda Messenger (TV Presenter)