Many Jewish women keep the monthly advent of the New Moon as a holy day called Rosh Codesh. Each month, women are given this day to rest from all work and responsibilities in return for their ancestral mother's non-compliance with the worship of the Golden Calf during the Exodus from Egypt.
As the Jewish calendar is reckoned upon the Moon cycle, the New Moon portends the beginning of the month. One person in every village was appointed to watch for the new crecent and to announce its arrival by lighting a fire atop a hill and by offering special prayers.
Women celebrate this day in many ways, often gathering in small groups to share festive foods, songs, dancing and stories. Rosh Chodesh can be a symbolic time to establish new cycles in our lives. If it is unrealistic to have the whole day to yourself, arrange for an evening gathering or simply pause to light a candle and contemplate changes you wish for the coming month, along with thanks for the gifts of the passing month. Keep this holy day as a way of staying in touch with the many forces in your life.