Hello You,
This month’s edition of the Voice of the Moon is free for all subscribers and completely sharable! Why? Because, LOVE! It’s been six months since I started sending out this monthly extra, and it’s been such a fabulous experience so far, I thought I’d widen the circle this time around to include anyone who might be in need of an extra heart-boost.
In the part of Turtle Island where I live, this month’s moon is called the snow-blinding moon, or Apuknajit (ah-boo-gah-na-jit).
Apuknajit is the legendary Mi’kmaw god of Winter, a wizard that can shapeshift into the form of any animal, and it is customary to leave out food on this full moon as an offering to ensure the survival of the entire ecosystem. This mindful tradition is a beautiful reminder that all creatures face challenges in times of cold and lack and darkness, and it is important that we take time to remember that we are all connected.
Library Love
In addition to thinking of the interconnectedness of the natural world, I’ve also been thinking a lot about the eco-system of community, and how we can all find ways to lift up and sustain each other through tough times.
In the most recent Cure for Longing post, I started a list of “Things to do when the world is a dumpster fire,” and then invited readers to add their “things” in the comments. Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas! I love that the list is getting longer and continuing to grow.
Some of you mentioned curling up with a book as your go-to for navigating stressful times, while others chimed in with “visiting my local libraries” as part of their path to a more peace-filled mind. “Me too!” I say, and happily add, “Did you know that February is International Library Lover’s Month?”
If you’re looking for something to DO, no matter where you are in the world, might I suggest paying your local library a visit? If you don’t have a library card in your name, please get one, ASAP! If you’ve never signed up for a library program or attended a workshop, lecture, or reading group, now is a great time to do so. We need to keep our libraries OPEN and ALIVE and INCLUSIVE. They are safe havens for so many in our communities as well as being great repositories of knowledge.
Libraries have meant the world to me my entire life. My mom used to take me to the Carnegie Public Library in my hometown in Indiana once a week, and when I was old enough to bike there by myself, I gleefully pedalled the six mile round trip on a regular basis. (My first kiss was in that library, courtesy of the boy who delivered papers there on Saturday mornings.) When I was in university, I worked part time in the music library and proudly served as a cataloguer there for several years. And in my career as a writer, libraries and archives have provided inspiration and fuel for every book and play I’ve ever written, and have been generous hosts to many readings and workshops I’ve given over the years.
Make no mistake, book bans, budget cuts, and restrictive legislative measures are threatening libraries around the world. If you believe, like I do, in the essential services libraries and archives provide, please visit your local library and ask a librarian what you can do to help keep the doors open.
“A library is a focal point, a sacred place to a community, and its sacredness is its accessibility, its publicness. It’s everybody’s place.”
Ursula K. LeGuin
The Awe Report and a Writing Prompt
When the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia asked if I’d loan a few typewriters and participate in a valentine-themed fundraising event for the Maxine Tynes Poetry Award, my answer was a resounding YES!
What a fabulous time. As you may know, my Notes from Destiny Project is a solo endevour that brings typewriter poetry pop-ups to various places of natural beauty around the wilds of Nova Scotia. This WFNS event was my first time writing impromptu poems as part of a team, and I have to say, Team Wolfville (Angela Reynolds, Blanca Baquero, and myself, all wrangled by the marvellous Ori Duinker,) absolutely CRUSHED IT.
Market-goers lined up in force to donate funds to the cause in exchange for poems of LOVE written for their sweethearts, their pets, their dearly departed loved ones, their sweet selves, and their secretly whispered dreams.
It was an awesome day with lots of funds raised, but what will stay with me for a long time to come, is the magic that happened every time I invited someone to confess and describe their deepest feelings of love. Faces that had seemed world-weary and tired just moments before, suddenly lit up and beamed. Love walked in and kicked fear to the curb, my friends. When Love shows up, the path to what matters is clear.
Sing me a Song, Babe
Those of you who get Voice of the Moon on the regular know that I’ve started giving a writing prompt /exercise in each month’s post. Last month we tackled Inventory of Being poems. Thanks to all who shared their experiences with writing one!
This month, I’m inviting everyone to write a Love List, that ideally will then become a love poem or love letter.
When I talked to participants at the Just my Type event, I asked them to tell me about the “sweetheart” I was writing a poem for. I took notes on what they said, making a Love List to use as I composed the poem. I’d ask questions about quirky things they loved about the person, how long they’d known each other, how they met, what was the most important thing they brought to the relationship, the most surprising thing, the most hilarious, etc. I also asked “what’s the secret behind your relationship? what’s the heartbeat?”
Here are just a few of the things mentioned:
Communication. Curiosity. Patience. Resilience. Kindness. Generosity. Empathy. Positivity. Creativity. Gratitude. Playfulness. Laughter. Nurturing. Teamwork. Openness. Boldness. Telling it like it is. Imagination. Taking chances. Belief in Magic.
So now it’s your turn. Think of someone who’s a real force for LOVE in your life. Make their Love List. Then write them a poem, or a letter, or a song, or just take a minute to express everything you wish for them. As William Prince and Serena Ryder sang: “It ain't gotta be good, it ain't gotta be long, just play me a song.”
And please let me know how it goes in the comments!
Closing Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed this special Voice of the Moon for Everyone. We’ll be back to the regular newsletter schedule next week. And if you’re not already a Voice of the Moon subscriber, but are digging the idea of the monthly writing prompt jam, please consider making the leap to a paid subscription. It’s what keeps this newsletter going. The more the merrier!
I’m wishing you all so much LOVE, this moon and always. And of course, loads of magic along your way.
Love received and reTurned, Turning, Ami!