Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Once in a Blue Moon

The moon has been speaking to me...


And I have been trying to understand what it is trying to tell me.

Ever since our Disney cruise, I have noticed the moon in the sky more than usual. And in the beginning of December, I read in Discover magazine how this New Year's eve, we would have a full moon -- and it would be the second full moon in December -- which in modern times is referred to as a blue moon.


A blue moon has come to be known as the second full moon in a calendar month and that only occurs once in every 2.7 years (and it doesn't refer to the color of the moon at all...but you could read about that here) A blue moon on New Year's eve? Well, that only occurs once in every 19 years -- the last one being in 1990 and the next one won't happen again until 2028.

Since I read about it, I haven't been able to shake the feeling that it's significant in some way...I even read somewhere that there's a belief that to bathe in the light of the full moon on New Year's eve is good luck.

Well, I can sink my teeth into that notion -- I like the idea that spending time in the full moon this New Year's will bring me good luck...and I hope it lasts until the next Blue Year's Eve in 2028...(somebody call the TV station...I think I just coined a new term)

So, as I began to think about planning for next year and the years beyond as we all have a tendency to do this time of year...I wanted to mark this rare event in some special way...

And I wanted to make a book wrap to go around the graph-paper, cardboard-covered blank journals I like to write in...


I knew I wanted to use velvet for the moon just like Jude Hill used in this post...I've always admired Jude's moon -- and I mean that in the nicest way...

And I knew I wanted to use the loose-weave, handwoven indigo cloth that I used in Japan when I studied sashiko embroidery.


The fabric is yielding and open to changes, freely accepting and shifting to make way for new threads...new ideas...

But why had the moon led me to make a journal wrap? And why to use my Japanese supplies to do it with?

I wonder what the moon has in store for me this New Year's eve? And I wonder what resolutions I will write in those blank pages?

I think I should be considering long-term ideas in this journal -- a kind of "Where I'd like to be by the next Blue Year's Eve"...


I purposefully left my book wrap unfinished -- no seams -- so that I can continue to stitch and add to it's story...

I went and checked on the symbolism of the moon in Japan -- only to find out that they have over a hundred ways of representing it in art and literature...and it most definitely represents the tides, the ebb and flow of life, the passage of time...

Hmmm....

So what do we do with this blue moon this New Year's Eve?

I like this idea of George Bailey's from It's A Wonderful Life....



I love the idea of moonbeams shooting out of my fingers and toes.

And I love the idea of taking a bath in the moonlight on New Year's eve. Though I'm not sure our weather is going to cooperate...I wonder if it will still count if we go outside anyway?? Sure it will!

So get out there and moonbathe everyone!

May you have a New Year full of fortune and moonbeams shooting out your fingers and toes!

15 comments:

Vicky aka Stichr said...

I will have to go out and see the Blue Moon for sure this year! To top it off, New Years Eve is also my birthday, so that doubles the pleasure! That would make a great cake topper too...I'd better post some notes with hints on them....Thank You Susan!! You always make me smile. Well Jack had me smiling the other day in his Holiday Hat!

jude said...

:-)

Judy S. said...

Funn post! Now I have to go check the weather report to see if we'll even be able to see that moon. Here's hopin'! Happy New Year!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I cannot even believe that I am reading this post this morning!! This Blue Moon on New Year's Eve has taken me OVER. From the moment I read that it occurs tonight I felt somehow it is an omen of good to come this year. So much so that it is the subject of my January BJP.

Funny how you and I have this phenominal connection sometimes.

Unfortunately, we will be having a winter storm tonight, but I will go outside anyway to catch the Blue Moon Beams that will be caught in the snowflakes.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

We've just been running around the house trying to catch a glimpse of the moon...I agree there is something magical about it!

FredaB said...

Harv and I just had a conversation the other day concerning the Blue Moon. He was explaining it to me and just now we both went outside and saw the beautiful full moon. With my cataract surgery eyes I told Harv it had a great blue halo around it. I guess that is one benefit of cataract surgery that you get these huge light shows. I thought I would get better sight but maybe he signed me up for the light show lens.

Happy New Year to you all.

Hugs

FredaB

coral-seas said...

My Mum texted me in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve that there would be a blue moon. I saw the breifest glimps between the clouds (or was that smoke from all fireworks?).

New Year's Day we went to the beach for a walk. We saw the sunset over the sea and on the drive home we saw the moon rise. A huge, warm, orange globe with his face clearly visible.

The sea, sunsets and moon are some of my favourite things.

I wonder what you will write in that journal. I hope it will be filled with happy thoughts and special memories.

Happy New Year, my friend.

Robin said...

Did you? Did you? Did you go out and moonbathe??? OMG - How I WISH I had read this post before new year's eve so that I could have gone out there... even if it was pouring down rain, which it was most of the evening.... What a fabulous thought to consider a 19-year period. Oh Susan, I love your posts, your pictures, your beautiful, creative mind and the way you play with concepts! Rub some off on me, OK?! I'm on a siz-words-per-month kick. As soon as I think folks are done looking at Robert's box, I'll post about that! May love surround you with magic sprinkles the whole year ahead... OK, how 'bout the whole 19 years ahead?! Robin A.

Robin said...

Make that "six-words-per-month"...

Also, I forgot to mention how dearly I love your holiday header!!!! Play, play, play!!!

Robin A.

Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful post!!!! I love your book wrap and that you have left it unfinished. I also love the way you write you have a wonderful style!!
Yor work is so wonderful and I learn so much when I ivist your wonderufl blog!!
happy New Year and thanks for the inspiration!!
Elizabeth
I love your holiday banner!!!!

Jane said...

Happy New Year Susan. I wanted to stop in and let you know how much I've enjoyed reading your posts this past year. Here's to a brand new year of creative inspiration and joy as you fill your journal.

Momma Bear said...

thank you for sharing your blue moon thoughts and jack stories!
I love to read them all.

Marnie said...

How wonderful, interesting and insightful. Don't you just love sashiko?!? My mom used to talk about the blue moon a lot. She was pretty superstitious and had lots of quirky customs. Your post reminded me some of them, although I don't remember her ever bathing us in the moonlight. Too bad. Sounds like fun! Happy New Year!

Chris Daly said...

Happy New Year Susan. Wishing you much luck and creativity in your New Years to come.

Sweetpea said...

What a special story this is, Susan - I so love the way your brain/heart works - you inspire me! And this Blue Moon we've had the privilege to *bathe* under (did you??) seems to have taken hold of so many of us.

Wishing you the happiest & most creative New Year! I'm looking forward to a year filled with your wonderful posts.

Related Posts with Thumbnails