As the corn moon rises, we prepare for the downswing of the year. The nights grow longer, the days shorter, and the air carries a crispness that signals change is coming.

This lunation reminds us to cultivate the inner resources we need to survive and thrive during the darker times. Like all full moons, it’s time to examine what we’ve sown, prepare for next month’s harvest moon, and tend to the seeds we wish to plant in the coming year.

I think of this moon in particular like the 7 of coins in the tarot. We aren’t yet harvesting; we are pausing to evaluate and take stock before the harvest, so that we don’t collect too much or at random when it’s time to harvest, pack, and nestle down for the winter. We can do this by:

• Re-evaluating our priorities and commitments – what’s truly important to us, and what can be let go of or postponed?
• Rearranging our schedules and routines to accommodate the changing seasons and our evolving needs
• Reflecting on our relationships, recognizing which ones nourish and support us, and which might need pruning or rebalancing
• Replenishing our stores of self-care and self-compassion, so we can weather the colder months with resilience and grace

It’s time to set intentions, clarify goals, and make plans for how we want to show up in the world. By honoring the cycles of nature and tending to our inner gardens, we can cultivate a deeper connection to ourselves and our place within the world.

Let’s use this moment to gather our strength, prepare for the journey ahead, and trust that the waning of the year will bring its own unique beauty and opportunities for rest.