New Moon Greetings – July 24, 2025
Prolific Red Poppies
While in Italy a few weeks ago visiting the birthplaces of my grandparents, I was amazed to find red poppies growing wild everywhere. I love poppies. And although the plants themselves are hearty and drought resistant, the flowers seem so fragile – collapsing easily in wind and rain. Something about them growing abundantly in open fields took me by surprise. I do realize there are many different varieties. So, this smaller shorter version must be well suited to the wildish places.
We took trains throughout central Italy and red poppies line the tracks and stretch out to cover open fields. Traveling by train is a joy and it was made even better by the beauty of the poppies. The view out of the train window of the red fields hour after hour is sealed into my memory. And I’m pretty sure when my grandparents moved through these places, they also were immersed in these beautiful fields of red poppies.
Red Poppy Synchronicity
The morning after I arrived home from Italy, and a little bleary from my trip, I put my dogs in the car to head for the park. As I pulled my car out into the alley, I noticed something red in the wildish area behind my back fence. I stopped the car and got out to discover a single small red poppy where poppies have never grown. My immediate reaction was disbelief followed by joy to receive such a clear and visible message from the universe that the connection to my ancestors is always present – a synchronicity.
Psychologist Carl Jung believed that synchronicities are manifestations of connections across time and space. He proposed the idea of an invisible consciousness that connects us all. When we tap into that consciousness, synchronicities appear.
The Mindfulness Part & Synchronicity Challenge
Sometimes a synchronicity is so striking, like my red poppy, that you cannot miss it. But often we overlook those symbols of connection that are all around us.
Paying attention and focusing our awareness on connections is a mindfulness practice. We can intentionally look for those signs all around us. What is hard about this is that life is busy and subtleties often escape us. It can help to start the day with an intention to notice synchronicities. Even better is to write out your intention.
Jung wrote that:
. Synchronicity is an ever-present reality for those who have eyes to see.
Since it is the new moon today and a great time to begin a new practice, my challenge to you is to begin to pay attention to synchronicities in your life. Fine tune your awareness to pay attention to the small and sometimes quiet signs of connection with the universe and especially with your ancestors. I’d love to hear your stories and examples of synchronicities!
About this Blog Post & and Qigong Practice
This post is part of my lunar blog series. I post each new moon as it is a great time to begin projects and set intentions with the increasing light. Topics are related to related to plants and ideas featured in my book, Growing Mindful. . Other topics are related to mindfulness, gardens, qigong, and intentional living. For more details and a list of past lunar blog posts, click here.
About Qigong – I lead qigong at Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver on the last Sunday of each month. You can find the schedule in announcements on the home page. I have also partnered with other graduates of the IIQTC (Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi) to offer virtual HeART of Body Compassionate Self Care Practice Circles based on qigong and tai chi. Check out the information here: Global Healing Circles or contact me if you need more information.
