September 25, 2022

New Chrysanthemum Moon and Rosh Hashanah

Endurance- acrylic and collage on canvas.
Tonight is the night of the new moon. The Chinese call this ninth new moon the Chrysanthemum Moon. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and endurance because of its ability to withstand colder temperatures. According to Chinese scholars, it shows the virtues of one who can endure temptations and maintain grace.

The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new.

Tonight is also the first evening of Rosh Hashanah (Roash hah-shah-nuh), which falls at or near the new moon of late September or early October. The observance begins at sundown tonight and lasts for two days, but it's actually the start of a ten-day period called the Days of Awe that ends with Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year”; it’s the Jewish New Year for the Spirit. The focus of this festival is repentance for wrongs you have done, and reaffirmation that you will take the honorable path in the future.

Agenda for today:
1. Journal queries
2. Retreat Day
3. Choose a month theme
4. Set goals and intentions
5. New moon altar and meditation
6. Make challah
7. Share a Seder


1. Journal queries:
At Rosh Hashanah I turn my thoughts inward to consider how I might be a better person in the year ahead. I ask myself--
Am I living my life, each day, in a way that leads me towards my missions? Am I enjoying the journey on that path? Do I feel honorable and contented? What could I do better?
How well am I responding to the challenges of the year and the season (including the season of my life)?
In what areas is my endurance fraying? 
In what areas am I out of balance, and how might I get back into balance? 
From my journal: My best gauge of imbalance is to observe where I feel discontented or stressed. Right now, my discomfort is with the state of my house; I've devoted so much time to my garden in the last months that housework has suffered. And I'm not finding the time or motivation to tackle big house projects. But the deeper issue is my energy: I'm up so early doing writing and committee work that by noon I'm ready to crash. Am I expecting too much of my senior self?

2. Retreat Day:
If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. As I've just returned from bike camping with 3 other families, I really need a day to be quiet, and catch up with myself!

3. Choose a month theme:
Today I choose a theme for the next month, and begin to give attention to it. My theme for the next 30 days is balance - the balance of concentration and mindfulness, action and study, social and alone time, yearning and resistance.

In feng shui, the center of the home is the area of Tai Chi, the great ultimate. The image is of the celestial ridgepole, the line that connects two sides; it's the circle around and the point between yin and yang energies.

 

The center is the place where my soul lives; it touches all other areas of my life. My life flows around the solid base of my center. Goals for balance at the center might have to do with grounded-ness, connectedness, finding clarity in chaos, embracing paradox, or allowing myself to flow with life’s changes. Remind myself to look at change as an adventure not a disruption, and to love life as it is. Also, this is the place of connection to Spirit, and enlightenment - I might seek a closer relationship with the Spirit outside myself. 

My balance thoughts this month:
  • I want to study mysticism: What is it, and what is my experience?
  • What is the source of my inner peace? (Who am I, really?)
  • How can I use my ideas about "Medicine Art" to heal the world?
4. Set intentions:
Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for October, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I had such a busy weekend that I haven't had time to write these, so I'll get back to you on this!

5. New moon altar and meditation:
It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next four weeks. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke? I will keep from last month:
  • a God's eye - to watch over us
  • dried corn - for the harvest
  • my straw doll- for luck and protection
Today I added- 
  • a golden candle for balance in the center
  • a soapstone cat for independence, mystery, agility, and balance
Next, I light a small white candle on my altar, center, give attention to my intentions, and picture each one accomplished. Then I'll let go of expectations, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.

2. Make challah:
It's traditional to eat three foods on Rosh Hashanah: Honey for a sweet year, round apples, and round challah for a solid round year.

It's sometimes hard to find a round loaf of challah in a bakery, so I usually make my own.

Ingredients:
  • 2 packets of yeast
  • 3 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2 egg yolks (reserve the whites)
  • 1/3 c. oil
  • 1/3 c. honey
  • 1 Tbsp. salt
  • 6-1/2 to 7 c. white flour
  • sesame seeds
Makes 2 loaves
1. Dissolve the yeast with the sugar in 1 c. of warm water right in the bowl of a Kitchen Aid mixer. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, until bubbly.






2. Meanwhile, combine the egg yolks, oil, honey, and salt with 1 c. water.



3. When the yeast is ready, add flour, alternating with the wet ingredients. 








Just keep adding flour until all the dough comes together in a ball and doesn't stick to the sides or bottom. The dough should be soft and a little sticky. 





4. Place the dough in a very well oiled bowl, covered with a damp cloth and leave it to rise for an hour in a warm area. Punch it down and let it rise again, for maybe another 1/2 hour.

5. Divide the dough in half. I made one simple round loaf to use tonight, and one braided loaf to use later. Put the loaves on oiled pans, brush with the reserved egg whites, thinned with  a little water, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

6. Let the loaves rise for half an hour . Preheat your oven to 365ºF. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

3. Share a Seder:
My family will have a small Seder. We light candles, and say these prayers-
Barukh attah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.
Blessed art Thou, oh God, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

We take a bite of the challah (dipped in honey), then continue with the following:

Barukh attah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, Borei peri ha-eitz.
Blessed art Thou, oh God, Creator of the fruit of the trees.

We take a bite from the apple (dipped in honey), then finish with:

Shana towva umetuka!
May the year be good and sweet!

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