Xia Yuan Jie and Full Frost Moon

 

Today is Xia Yuan Jie (pronounced "Shaw you-an Jee-a") -- Lower Primordial Festival -- a Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, usually the full moon of November. It’s the third of a trio of Taoist holidays that honor three Taoist gods, called the Three Great Emperor Officials:

• Tian-Guan, the Heaven Official, gives happiness, and rules over the first 6 months of the year (the yang part), beginning  on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, at the Lantern Festival.
• Di-Guan, the Earth Official, forgives sins and guilt, and rules over the next 3 months (the yin part), beginning on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, at the Ghost Festival.
• Shui-Guan, the Water Official, rules over the last 3 months of the year (also yin), starting today.

And tonight we see the Full Frost Moon, called that because now is when the first hoarfrost might appear - that white frost that makes walking crunchy, and that requires scraping of windshields. Frost is a reminder that winter is coming, and we all need to finish our outdoor chores and close up the storm windows.

This moon is also known as the Alangitapi moon - the Moving-Inside-for-Winter moon, by the Kalapuya people of my valley.

We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon. But today it's time to CELEBRATE! 

Agenda:
1. Read "How to Manifest"

2. Take a vision walk
3. Celebrate Grace

4. Hold the world in the light

5. Plant paper white bulbs

1. Read "How to Manifest":

I'm reading a book called "How to Manifest", by Laura Chung; it's a 40 day program to "Make Your Dreams a Reality". I have one big dream that I'm making slow progress on, and this book has successfully kicked me into action!

I'm finishing Week 5, called Your New State of Being.

Day 35 - Take Inspired Action: The author reminds us that knowledge is useless unless we apply it. She asks that we take action in whatever way we feel is necessary to create momentum; it can be anything, including research, signing upper a class, or self care, as long as it is specific to what we are manifesting.

2. Take a vision walk:

My theme this month is Grace: In the Christian tradition, grace is a gift from God, freely given to us at birth, and when we are open to it, a continual revelation. Grace is a state of being - at peace, free, filled with love & light.

Today I will settle into silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - by putting myself into a relaxed, trance-like state, and seeking a leading of the spirit. I call on the Spirit of Light to guide me, bring me clarity and open my eyes. I ask:

How do I define grace? What is the grace I need and want for myself and for the world? 

What is the grace I'm receiving? (What Godly nudges am I feeling this month?) 

What are the habits or practices I could have to open myself more completely to receive grace? 

How can I extend grace to others?

 

3. Celebrate grace:

One thing I've decided about grace: I did not arrive with strings attached: I don't HAVE to use my gifts of grace for good in the world. But I can choose to receive these gifts (freely given) and reciprocate.

Today I remind myself of my intentions, and then celebrate my accomplishments and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. To celebrate grace I will:

• Write about the theme of the nurturing darkness.
• Indulge in an hour of quilt piecing, and enjoy the colors and feelings of the fabrics.
• Extend grace to my grandson with hands-on projects and cuddles, and plant paper white bulbs together.

3. Hold the world in the light:

Shui-Guan's full title is The Great Emperor Water Official of Pervasive Yin of Lower Primordial & Tertiary Grade Who Eliminates Distress. Today is considered to be his birthday, and is also the day when he visits the Mortal World to do inspections and release blessings.

Shui-Guan checks on the seas, rivers, streams, and the wind and rain, but he also has the task of eliminating our "unnecessary" distresses, dangers, and misfortunes -- if he sees it is best to do so. 

Taoists hold ceremonies to pay respect to Shui-Guan today, praying for good fortune and for disasters to be diverted. They will light 49 lamps or candles for 3 days hoping that this light energy will catch Shui-guan's attention.

I will light a candle tonight for all the people in distress today, praying that they receive a blessing of peace and generosity.

5. Plant Paper-white Bulbs

At the November new moon, a dark time of the year and month, we retreat inward, like the bulbs in the ground. Today I will plant Paper-white bulbs to bloom to (hopefully) indoors at Christmas (about 4-6 weeks).

Supplies: Paper-white bulbs, a bowl, pebbles and rocks, newspapers, and a paper bag

1. Collect pretty rocks and glass pebbles of different sizes, and clean them.

2.  Fill a bowl partway with the rocks and nestle the bulbs on top, close together but not touching each other, with their tips just below the rim of the bowl.

3. Add water to the bowl, up to the bottom of the bulbs. 

4. Wrap the bowl in newspapers, and a paper bag, and put it in a dark, cold place, like the cellar or refrigerator.

5. Water the bulbs every week if needed, and check for top growth.

6. When the roots begin to take hold and the shoots are 2 to 4 inches tall, take the bowl into a cool room with indirect light.

7. When the leaves are well formed and the flower buds are showing, move the bowl to a warm, brightly lit room to encourage the buds to open.

As we grow in grace, we learn to trust the nurturing darkness. Like the bulbs in the ground and all of nature in the winter, let your energy gradually grow within you so it may be born anew when the time is right.