Visualize Gratitude

Written By Annie Mesaros

Bright Blessings of the full HARVEST moon to you

Look at you!

In late-stage capitalism, we are inundated with messages about what we ought to do, strive for, improve upon, and chase after. But what if that’s not how you were created to be? What if you are glorious and beloved and worthy, just for being you? If this is something you struggle with wrapping your mind (and heart) around, you’re not alone. I hope this full moon practice supports slowing down, noticing, and offering up gratitude. And if you’d like additional options beyond this practice, I’d love to chat with you and see if spiritual counseling could support your process.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

Party time

The full harvest moon is exactly what it sounds like: a party to celebrate the fruits of all our labor, over the hot, swampy summer. This is an intentional time to notice that, even if we haven’t crossed a metaphorical finish line (though maybe you have!) we have made some progress. In the form of accomplishment, enriched relationships, personal growth, new awareness. And maybe it’s just being more yourself more of the time.

You may have heard about the trick of, instead of making a to-do list (things that make feel like a burden or obligation), make a ta-da list of things that you’ve already accomplished. Because you’re so wonderful, and just being you is enough and worth celebrating!

We’re going to do something similar for our full moon practice this month. Instead of making vision boards, which focus on what we want in our lives, we’re going to make collages that celebrate what we already have and who we already are.

An attitude of gratitude

Sometimes in gratitude practices you have to dig deep to find what you’re grateful for, and that’s OK. If it’s hard to come up with things to celebrate, here are some things to help get the juices flowing:

  • Draw a tarot or oracle card (or do the three-card spread from our New Harvest Moon practice!)

  • Ask a friend or two to brainstorm with you

  • Spend some time journaling

  • Look back at your calendar

  • Think about different areas of your life: home, friendships, family, work, neighborhood, therapy, your relationship to yourself

Gather images and words in magazines, gather scraps of paper, ribbon, ticket stubs, photographs, or draw your own images and write your own words. Glue it all together on a piece of paper, the cover of a journal, or make a digital collage in Canva or on Pinterest.

Use whatever medium speaks to you as you practice noticing, acknowledging, and celebrating what goodness exists in you and in your life this harvest season.

Reflect

  • What feelings and emotions came up for you as you did this practice?

  • Is there anything you want to release? (Expectations, hopes, grief?)

  • Is there anything you want to cultivate more of? (Positive self regard, experiences, relationships?)

  • Who are the people that helped make this harvest possible? Are you willing to reach out to them and offer them gratitude for the role they’ve played?

Join me

Are you in the Baltimore area? Join me and others from the Wild Maven community on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 7pm at The Space Within. We’ll spend some cozy time making collages, sharing about our experiences, and cheering each other on.

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash.

Annie Mesaros
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What Have You Sown this Summer?