The Moon’s a Powerful Lady

The Wolf Moon comes tonight, Thursday Jan. 25, 2024. If you're where you can see the full moon away from city lights and pollution, check it out.

Maxfield Parrish, "Moonlight Night - Winter", 1942

Shortly after he greeted the phone caller, I knew. I sucked in a long draught of air and watched as the space between his brows puckered into that deep furrow. The longer the phone call lasted, the more his skin drained of its color. He'd been laid off. Again!

His boss wanted him to return the equipment loaned to him that day if possible. It was a Monday. Before he was allowed to telecommute, Monday was the day we rose at four a.m. to eat breakfast before he drove five hours from Truckee, CA to San Jose. He spent the week with family then came home to launder clothes and maybe enjoy a day sitting on the deck. His weekends were precious. Telecommuting fostered a mellow day-to-day rhythm for deepening relationships with family and neighbors.

We had weathered many layoffs -- one lasting eighteen months. Such is the nature of the computer industry. We made do, discovered our potential, and tempered the steel of our relationship. This layoff was just one more in what became a persistent merry-go-round -- a cycle I wished would end ... soon.

While he unplugged his office, I took the dog for a walk. The full moon's glow glistened off the snow bright as daylight. Beyond the crunch of ice under my Sorrels, absolute silence surrounded me. The dog nosed the snow banks, probably wondering why he had to brave the chill at this hour. The temperature barely penetrated my jacket, though. My thoughts were racing, trying to recall what we did after past layoffs.

Photo by 邱 严 on Unsplash

Suddenly, the light ignited something mysterious within me. I cherish the eerie mood of the full moon as it deepens the shadows. It always boosts my spirits, no matter what I am going through at the time. What's more, the sliver of new moon pulls me out of the darkness of that phase, promising that good things will be coming soon.

I stared at the disk of mirrored sunlight that obscured the stars. Even the Milky Way paled. Closing my eyes, I spread my arms and stood in that empty street. Feeling the frost sting my fingertips, I released my fears to the indifferent Universe. Its brilliance seeped through my eyelids and turned my sagging faith into renewed courage.

I felt the vice grip of anxiety loosening from my heart. Though this layoff threatened our finances, I had a choice in how I reacted. I could welter in despair or be elated, eager to spend time with my Beloved. Ten hours in a car, just the two of us facing a crisis together, we could come up with a plan. The moonlight seemed to be showing me the way to travel this next perilous journey.

The dog nudged my knee. It was time to go inside before we froze.

Photo by Brandon Day on Unsplash

After handing over the equipment, Jeff chatted with colleagues for a while. His supervisor told him that face time was critical if he wanted his efforts noticed. Management's short-sightedness had rankled over the years whenever Jeff brought up the telecommuting issue. Ironically, the company's software made telecommuting possible. Yet they couldn't imagine letting their own people beta test the product. They needed warm bodies in the cubicles. Even now in 2024, companies and governments struggle to keep staff in the office.

Before an argument ensued, one of Jeff's old workmates happened to walk by and was pleased to see him. Learning of his layoff, his friend said there was a job for him in his department. Already aware of his talents and productive nature, the friend had no problems letting him work from home.

A huge feeling of relief fell upon us. Jeff noted during our trip home that his friend's management style was far less toxic and controlling. He predicted a better chance to be appreciated.

This is one of those there is a god moments when I wonder if the Universe is really lining up in our favor or just a crazy coincidence. Such things have happened all my life.

For example, one winter morning, we were sitting in our chilly Boulder Creek house, drinking coffee. The propane tank was empty. The last logs in our woodpile were crackling away in the stove. And we didn't have the money to replenish either.

Suddenly, a propane truck pulled into our driveway. Jeff ran out waving, "I hope you're not just turning around." To our joy and gratitude, the two men in the truck assured us they were filling up tanks all over the neighborhood, regardless of customers' account balances. They also told us that because of the company's draconian policies, drivers were being shot at by disgruntled customers. The passenger was literally riding shotgun.

Lately, I've been telling my friends I believe in two gods: Serendipity and Murphy. If we relax and have faith that solutions will be forthcoming, Serendipity will lend a hand. If we force our way upon a problem, banging our heads against closed doors, that's Murphy.

As she had on many occasions, Serendipity had rescued us that day, right? Okay, I'm being silly, but Murphy was spending entirely too much time sitting on our leaky roof. It was plain the independence of the drivers had brought us fuel. Why Jeff's friend just happened to be walking through that particular hallway at that time, well, what can I say? It was serendipitous, fortuitous, Zippity-Doo-Dah Luck!

As for wishing upon a star or even the full moon, I try to remember it is just a rock orbiting the earth in a cycle measured in days and months. While its gravity can affect the tides, its light is merely a reflection of the sun illuminating a synchronous revolving orb. We see only one side in different aspects. It's all very mathematical and unromantic. Yet a full moon is like the familiar face of a comforting old friend who visits regularly.

Gabriele Corno Moonlight Shadow

There are many people who place a great deal of power in the moon, especially the full moon. It marks seasons for planting, hunting, and other activities in some cultures' calendars. Its image becomes a monthly photographic staple on social media and is a dramatic element in paintings and photos. Communities hold full moon horse rides, wolf howls, snowshoeing, and other events that take advantage of the romance its light casts upon participants.

And just ask any police officer or night nurse what happens to people on a full-moon night. My new granddaughter was born under last November's Beaver Moon. Read my vignette about the chaos of that night HERE: “Winter Lights,” https://suecauhape.substack.com/p/winter-lights-673. (It’s after the two poems in this post.)

From my studies of Wicca a few years ago, I read how one can cast a spell timed by the phase of the moon. There’s a two-way option: either draw from the waxing moon for a positive outcome or use the waning moon to rid oneself of the negative. Also, if a particular phase is missed, a person can turn the spell around to obtain the ultimate goal.

It all depends on the believer's focus, enhanced by pointing a wand, and the ability to state very clearly what is truly desired. It's wise to write the aim of the spell on paper to clarify one's intentions.

Sometimes, we think we know what we want, but we sabotage ourselves. We tell people we want to do or be so-and-so. Then we fail … again and again. The emotional hole we dig only gets deeper. Being honest with ourselves, we eventually understand why we are lying about our dreams. Success only comes to those who have no doubts what they want and what they need to do to get it.

Sneaky little process, isn't it? Using the implements of spell casting focuses our minds on what outcome we really want. It calms the monkey brain and narrows the options toward a solution. We have to really zero-in on the details. If we don't, the gremlins will bring about disaster. Just ask NASA how this works. They're the people who brought us the word "gremlins." Magic, or shall we say, the unknown essence, is everywhere and will confound our efforts if not respected. In fact, my pediatrician once told me she believed there are just things that happen in medical practice that fall under the category: Magic.

Photo by Silas van Overeem on Unsplash

Of course, one does not need to be a witch to exercise this process. The same can be said of prayer and the use of prayer beads or a shrine. We talk directly to a deity in whom we believe, using the image or tool to help us concentrate. When we really think about it, prayer and spell casting are the same exact process. Some philosophies have prayers or mantras that bolster our confidence before we even step out the door. The Hand of our chosen Deity is on our shoulders, guiding and protecting us as we navigate the day's challenges. We have a need and we ask for help. And sometimes that still small voice will whisper a clue so we can work towards success.

That night, I opened up to the tide-bending power of the full moon and sent my fears and hopes to the Universe. Then my still small voice assured me, "you've got this."

Whether imploring an actual Being or bathing ourselves in celestial light, we are granted a bit of courage to reach deep inside for solutions and the energy to work them into fruition. Any time something comes out of nowhere to solve a problem, I say, "Serendipity strikes again!"

We can frame this process any which way, but there it is. Faith? Magic? Psychology? Somehow, strange things line up to solve our dilemmas. And this time, I'll credit the full moon for illuminating my inner power toward a positive outcome.

The Wolf Moon comes today, Thursday Jan. 25, 2024. If you're where you can see the full moon away from city lights and pollution, check it out and see if it makes you feel just a little bit weird. And maybe you'll hear the coyotes or wolves, the singing dogs, paying their respects to a powerful lady.

Here's a good article from USA Today, published 1-24-2024 with lots of moon information, from scientific to folklore. Fascinating and fun to read. It also came just in time to be included in this story. Serendipity strikes again!

Another fuzzy moon photo by Sue Cauhape

If you enjoyed this essay, feel free to check out more in the Ring Around the Basin Archives.