Carnival of Healing #41 - Moons & Mothers

"I finish the tea and climb up the steps of the Ruby's treehouse. I can see Her - the moon from here, roof level. The hills gyrate around me in hazy bliss. From this distance, the ridge looks like a moss beard trickling along a tree's horizon.

The moon has been gearing up for Wesak all week. You can see her showing right from the backyard. Filling out, clear complexion, pubescent. Blooming. By Saturday, a mother. How does one midwife your own unbirth?" - written this week from the first draft of my book

Today's full moon, this May 13th, is known as the Flowering Moon to Navajo Indians and it is Wesak, the Buddhist holiday celebrating the birth, Illumination, and final passing into Vastness of the Buddha.

We often forget that the bodhi tree (a type of fig), sometimes more so than the Buddha, is the great teacher of enlightenment and that the tree is oblivious to who sits underneath it. The full Moon too is a teacher of illuminating darkness if you allow Her to speak to you.

Welcome to the 41st Carnival of Healing this week celebrating the healing power of moons and mothers.

Teri Roberts' post Mother's Day - Care for Yourself Too is a welcome reminder to attend to ourselves. It's been a full week. I could be tempted to berate myself for not creating time to spend scouring the blogosphere for awesome moon, mother, and healing posts. But would I mother myself that way? (Note to self: Drop self-indulgent from your mental vocabulary.)

"The definition of mothering doesn't necessarily involve giving birth. More accurately, mothering means attending to the needs and comforts of someone."

I love how mother and healer Phylameana lila Désy shares her exercise routine to her love life in this post, Parts Of My Wholistic Self. I'm with her: "We often "confuse the holistic approach of living with being holy or extremely spiritual." Ooooh, and I love her list of fav foods:

"Almonds, avocados, mangos, blackberries, pears, sweet potatoes, merlot, black beans, salsa, asparagas, turnip greens, and garlic."

"It is at the edge of a petal that love waits," writes poet William Carlos Williams. Natural Remedies' Edible Flowers for Mom recommends tasting love and handing the bouquet to your mom:

"Get some marigolds and lavender for the garden - marigolds great for salads and lavender - wonderful for aroma therapy."

Self-avowed geek Scott Jewel's writes his first 'self-help' post in Why I Want to Save the World. Welcome to the Carnival, Scott:

"There are so many great sources that will open your eyes and help you develop your conscious life further, but you have to see them."

Dr. Deborah Serani shares thoughts on the shadow side of tomorrow's Mother's Day and how to mother yourself if the holiday rather makes you queasy:

"In my work, landmark days, anniversary dates or holidays of any kind can be especially difficult for anyone who has experienced loss, death or the recognition of toxicity in a relationship."

These days I'm reading more mommy blogs, enjoying the addition wholeheartedly to my social media and marketing beat. "Women are artists of the everyday...It takes a lifetime to create the work of art for which we are born: an authentic life," writes Sarah Ban Breathnach. Myself, when I read or see or touch art -- art adds the heart to hands (labor) and head (craft) -- I am whole, healed. Check out my vote for this week: Pay Attention to Synchronicity.

Enjoy yourself this weekend. Enjoy la luna piena (that's Italian for full moon). And enjoy your mother.

Next week's Carnival of Healing is hosted by About Holistic Healing, you can catch last week's at Dr. Deborah Serani's blog.

credits Flickr photo by Gbart11