We are experiencing a new moon in July. The sky is clear, and the moon’s curvature is highlighted against the night sky. You can’t miss it. So much of nature’s beauty is missed because we don’t take the time to be present.
As I read through the meanings of a new moon in astrology, spirituality, and science, the common link was about a new beginning. As the moon starts its new 29-day cycle, the energy of new beginnings influences us on many levels. Scientifically, the New Moon and Full Moon affect the tides through the magnetic fields that occur during the moon phases. As it turns out, the impact of nature’s energies on our bodies and minds has been theorized, and the moon presents a big force of nature. During the new moon, our emotions are pulled to the surface, and feelings are heightened.
Physical manifestations of moon cycles are, for example, women’s menstrual cycles may be tied to the lunar rotation, male hormones rise and fall, and body fluid and basal temperature are impacted. In addition, a Japanese study says that the closer the moon is, the more babies are born, and the moon has a strong effect on sleep. An Indian study showed that eating certain foods during the moon cycles helps the body detoxify.
The Macrobiotic philosophy teaches us to respect the laws of nature and be observant of personal influences. We are encouraged to live in a way whereby by supporting our bodies during nature’s force, we will be able to flow and reap the benefits of healthy living. When we resist and get stuck, then decomposition and disease breed.
New moons are a time for rejuvenation and manifestation. If you have a lack in your life, then this is the time it will be filled, whether through a new experience, person, or item. New Moons ask us to make space for beginnings, an open mind, take action, and step into a new phase. The new moon is a time to set intentions and launch new projects. Since new moons happen monthly and signify the beginning cycle, you can think of them as a comic reset. In other words, you are never stuck; you always have a chance to do differently. One area to do differently is by looking at your daily food choices and consumption. Sometimes changing a few food items creates ripple benefits in the quality of your health at the cellular level.
In Chinese medicine, the heart and small intestines are the organ systems most energized at this time of year, meaning they are in the active cycle. The heart energy is about being alive and circulating blood through our being, as I discussed in last month’s cooking class. It influences mental clarity and our ability to stay focused. The energy of summer is abundant, hot, and lighthearted. However, your whole health will prosper by eating foods that support your active cycle.
In this Saturday’s Seasonal Cooking Class, I will be lecturing on the workings of the small intestine, its role within the digestive grouping, and how it influences the quality and flow of the blood that the heart circulates. I will demonstrate cooking methods and food combinations that are best for efficient digestibility and absorption.
Join us on Saturday the 9th and make this your new beginning to a vibrant summer!
~Virginia
