Grasshoppers and New Moons

Me getting a picture of...

The Venerable Sir Grasshopper III of King of Prussia

Chances are, unless you're a stargazer like I am, you weren't aware that this past weekend was the start of a new moon. New moons are the start of a new lunar cycle and typically represent - you guessed it - powerful beginnings and brand new starts. Although the full moon has its own meaning and special characteristics (werewolves, higher Emergency Room hospital admittances) I've always been a fan of the new moon because for a few days the moon disappears from the sky to its dark recluse where it seems to recharge, regroup and reassess. To me it symbolizes the beginning stages of a creative project where the imaginative juices start flowing and you start to dream up ideas without ever actually creating anything tangible just yet. It is in the darkness where we are truly born again. Therefore, if ever you are in a time in your life of "darkness" try and turn it around and see it as a time of rebirth, renewal and an opportunity for potent creative growth.

On top of it being a new moon, on our way out of Crate and Barrel on Saturday Aly and I spotted the little green man I posted in the picture above - The Sir Venerable Grasshopper III of King of Prussia. I have no idea why but grasshoppers always seem so Stately and Noble to me. I think it's because they always look like they are wearing a green tuxedo with tail. I'm sure right now you are wondering how in god's name a new moon and spotting a grasshopper are related. But I promise they are related. (Although admittedly I am a poet, and I find meaning and relatedness in everything - it's what we do.)

According to animal medicine (a Shamanic belief that the natural world responds to our deepest desires by presenting to us an animal whose traits we most need to adopt at that time), the grasshopper is a symbol of leaping forward.

According to Ina Woolcott in her article, "Grasshopper, Locust Power Animal, Symbol of Leaping Forward,"

There are 10,000 or so species of grasshopper, they are cold blooded as all insects are and are more mobile when it is warmer. Each species has their own unique song.... The power of sound and song is part of grasshoppers medicine. It is an ancient method to use song to alter ones consciousness and communicate with animals and spirits. There are some native american songs that date back 20,000 years...

Grasshopper is the Chinese symbol of good luck and abundance. Anyone with this power animal has been given the ability to take chances - to act on a whim and jump right in. For them things may not progress step by step as they do for other people progress - but rather extremely fast. When taking that leap simply trust your own instincts on when to make the leaps. Listening to your inner voice and responding to it will lead you to positive outcomes. Don’t be afraid to make that leap, remembering all the while that Grasshopper’s only ever jump forwards and never backwards...

If the grasshopper-locust leaps into your life, then you are being asked to take a leap of faith, to do something without fear - this will generally be something that you have avoided doing and is often linked to a change in direction on a grander scale - be it a relationship, career or change in self. You will have the wisdom needed to get passed obstacles in an efficient manner....

Grasshoppers are usually peaceful, however in times of overcrowding or food shortages, they turn into the much feared locusts who in the blink of an eye can strip a farm or forest. They turn almost black so as to take in more sunlight which fuels their swarming by giving extra heat and energy. They do this until they find somewhere with enough food, enough of them die/are killed to control the population. Remember: the fruits of the earth are for all to enjoy and there is plenty for all if used in a sacred way. People sometimes forget this sacred balance and take more than needed - this may also be an indication of people taking from you. Do others claim too much of your time and energy? Do they try and make you take responsibility for their actions? Ask yourself these questions, remembering that the going only gets tough when we refuse change.

So I take a few things from this. 1. grasshoppers represent leaping forward into new possibilities (hello, new moon!) 2. they each sing their own unique song (we each have our own voice and story to tell) and 3. we can learn from their dark side that it's important not to hoard food or take to much but also on the flip-side of that it's important to not allow others to walk all over us and consume too much of us. I'd say the grasshopper and the new moon had a LOT of good things to teach me and maybe you as well?

P.S. in honor of the new moon I am including the song "Made in the Dark" By Hot Chip