introduction

In 2022, I went through a very dark period in my life. I was trembling with fear and felt a crushing weight on my shoulders.

Even though many things in my life seemed to be crumbling between my fingers back then, some things remained constant: the sun rose and set. The moon waxed and waned.

The moon became a faithful companion to me, like a grandmother watching over me from afar. I imagined her gaze, kind and wise, resting upon us, her grandchildren, perceiving our fears, our confusion, and our hopes and loves – all without judgement. (because of this female quality that the moon has in many stories and cultures and for me personally, I sometimes call her „she“ in this book. Please know, that if that doesn’t resonate with you, I invite you to refer to the moon in whichever way feels right for you).

When I look up at the moon, I am reminded of my smallness, of how my life is interwoven with something far greater: the unyielding cycles of nature. These cycles, I believe, can ground us, reminding us that every end ushers in a new beginning, that each night gives way to a new day.

The poems that follow arise from the different phases of life: the dark and the light. I hope they can serve as a reminder for both you and me to view all that we feel and experience with the loving gaze of the moon. For from up there, nothing seems quite so big.

may we welcome it all-

the love,

the grief,

and everything that this life has to teach.

In the following chapters, we will journey through seven phases of the moon: the dark moon (also known as the new moon), the waxing crescent, the waxing gibbous, the full moon, the waning gibbous, the waning crescent, until we are once again greeted by the new moon.

At the end of the book, you will find prompts for each moon phase. These prompts serve as an invitation to connect more deeply with the unique energy of each moon, guiding us to align with its rhythm and wisdom.

Thank you for being here with me.

All my Love,

Pia