5.12b 'Writing with the Moon' Writing Prompt for my Conversation with Caro Giles
The transcript for this episode can be found here: https://www.promptedbynature.co.uk/podcast-transcripts
Hello and welcome to your writing prompt for my conversation with Caro Giles. So, obviously, this one is going to be moon-related! I often write with the moon and have created materials helping others to do the same. About 7 years ago, back when challenges were in, I ran the Follow the Moon challenge, followed by the ‘Create by the Moon’ challenges a couple of years later and this latter piece of work I’m in the process of turning into a workbook, which will be out in the summer - free to Substack subscribers on the paid level.
To get us started though, I wanted to think about how we can use the energy of each moon phase to influence our writing and then extend this to consider the names of each full moon, as Caro does in Twelve Moons, and how these can form ongoing prompts for our words.
Over on the blog, you’ll find a post about turning each phase of the moon into a character (link is in the show notes) and this is a really good exercise to familiarise yourself with the energy of each phase if you’re newer to it all, or just want another perspective.
So going from new to full moon:
New moon - intention setting Waxing crescent - planning Waxing half - balance, making decisions Waxing gibbous - problem-solving Full moon - manifestation, clarity and understanding Waning gibbous - self-evaluation, patience and letting go Waning half - cleansing and transformation Waning crescent (balsamic) - reflection/introspection Dark moon - quiet/silenceOnce we are familiar with the energy of each moon phase, we can start to see how these could be articulated in the settings and characters we create. For example, a setting that might reflect the waning half moon, could be a cascading stream in the early hours of the morning. How might that feel? What does the natural world feel like at that time of day? If the full moon were a character, perhaps they might be a creator or agitator, an activist or someone who works to shed light on a subject.
Then you might like to start looking at the different names given to the full moon by different cultures and traditions throughout the world. There’s the wolf moon, the cold moon, the harvest moon and more! Use your imagination and envision settings and events that might happen under each moon, each taking on the energy and meaning given to it by the ancestors.
Pop over to the post on the blog for more ideas, get researching and see how you get on. I love working with the moon in my own life and using its phases as a creative prompt is such a wonderful way to enrich your own practice, especially if you’re ever feeling a bit lacking in inspiration.
Keep looking up, my friends!
As always you can find me on www.promptedbynature.co.uk where you can find links to my Substack newsletter and get information on my forthcoming day retreats and nature writing courses down here in East Sussex. I’m also to be found @prompted.by.nature on Instagram.
Happy writing and I’ll speak to you soon!
Helen x
Prompted by Nature
The Prompted by Nature podcast is a series of interviews punctuated by meditations and writing prompts inspired by each conversation. It explores the connection between nature and creativity through story-telling.
Guests include Naturalists and Environmentalists, Herbalists, Botanists, Wildlife Experts, Therapists, Nature Writers and Photographers, Outdoor/Wilderness Guides, Artists, Climate Change Activists and so any more inspiring souls using their creativity to work in and with nature.
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