the moon rises…

The full moon rises in the eastern sky this evening. 
Stark, bare branches of trees stand etched in black against the inky sky. 
Silver shimmery light spills across the landscape. 

Stillness settles, quiet reigns, calm arrives at the end of the day. 
My tired body languishes in lazy stretches, feet propped high. 
Spinning thoughts slow and stress releases its hold. 

Those thoughts drift like clouds on the breeze, scudding across the dark, 
Crystallizing and shattering, only to form again
As dreams when awake, just before sleep. 

My heart's desires run deep, yet just under the surface swim. 
Images play through my mind with my last conscious thoughts. 
Blessings are counted in the silvery glow as rest overcomes. 

Part of my “winding down” process at the end of the day is gazing at the moon rising above our backyard. Even if it is just for a few minutes when I take the dog out to do his business, it triggers something very calming inside me. The moon has always been a source of fascination, so it is natural that I find myself dreaming upon that orb in the sky.

I’ve heard this referred to as a ritual, so I guess this is a part of my evening ritual, much like a warm bath and curling up in bed with a book before I turn out the light. Rituals are important as they are like signals to the mind and body of what is coming, what is next.

Do you have a ritual that you would like to share?