Cycles of the Moon
Exploring and embodying your experience of waxing and waning.
A deep dive into our ever changing experience of ourselves in our world bringing together the wisdoms of astrology and the practice of meditation.
The journey of life has many expressions – every culture uses some kind of myth, imagery, ritual, metaphor to help us understand and navigate the journey from birth through death.
In the two traditions that Julie and Molly ground themselves in (Astrology for Julie and the teachings of the Buddha for Molly), this is also true. The eight phases of the Moon are a prototype, a template, for the journey of life, a way of interpreting and inspiring the Journey, in the tradition of Astrology. In Buddhist teachings, the template isn’t as precise. Rather, the teachings and practice of meditation act as a support and guide for the ending of suffering along the way as well as enriching the different passages of life with wisdom, and compassion. It is interesting that the moon IS a part of the Buddha’s story – he was born, enlightened, and died under full moons.
In this workshop which will be offered via Zoom, Julie will introduce the Phases of the Moon and give each participant their personal astrological relationship to the Moon, and Molly will lead us in ways to be receptive to, and to integrate, the teachings of the Moon.
We will meet on two successive Sundays to allow us to settle and practice with the content of the workshop, and the second meeting will allow time for questions and sharing. We will be a small group of people who have a prior connection with either Astrology or Insight Meditation and who are interested in how they may intersect.
Molly Swan: Just as Julie has been immersed in astrology for over 4 decades, meditation has been a constant companion for me for about 40 years as well! The Buddhist tradition I practice in and teach from is Vipassana (or Insight Meditation). Julie and I have been overlapping for many years – each supporting each other with what is dear to our hearts – sharing from our own experience and from the tradition we each live and practice in. Given the uncertainty and vulnerability many of us have been experiencing, as well as some degree of isolation, we are grateful to offer Cycles of the Moon as a support, a ground, that will encourage ease, receptivity to waxing and waning, and the joy of connection with each other, and perhaps even more importantly, with ourselves.
And
Julie Simmons: I have been an astrologer for over 4 decades. I had no idea when I set out on this path where I was going or how long it would last. Life is like that. At roughly the same time I discovered astrology I also stumbled upon meditation. They did not arise together as connected disciplines. In fact astrology seemed to be an entirely intellectual path while meditation for me at that time was connected to the body, to movement through yoga. In more recent decades I had the good fortune to meet Molly and benefit from her teachings. Bringing the two paths together in this way feels like a particular blessing to me at this time. I can’t wait to see what we conjure!
Sunday January 9, 2022
9:30 AM – 1 and 3 – 6. PM
Sunday, January 16, 2022
Review, questions, responses, practice, closing circle.
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
This workshop is offered on a sliding scale
Recommended between $50 - $200 as well as a pay-what-you-can option, whatever that is, as support to Julie & Molly
Contact Julie (juliemooninvirgo@gmail.com) or Molly (molly.swan12@yahoo.com) if you would like to attend and can commit to both sessions in their entirety.