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. Take a vision walk

2. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook"

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans

4. Soul Notes journal

5. Celebrate abundance

6. Hold the world in the light

1. Take a vision walk:

My theme this month is Abundance, and Death: I've been finding ways to invite abundance into my life, and into the world, by cultivating an abundance consciousness; that is, I acknowledge the blessings I have already, find a ways to express my gratitude, get clear about what blessings I want to see for the world, and challenge myself to help to create them, because if I can truly believe that there’s enough for everybody, I will find ways to make it so.

 

But I am also aware of the approaching season of darkness and death. Nature has much to teach us about life and death. Death isn’t something to welcome or seek, but neither to fear. Nature isn't sentimental about death: It is a hard fact. Survival is our driving force, but death is our gift to the future: We die so the future might prosper.

The full moon shines a bright light on everything, and I might experience intuitive and creative breakthroughs. I might be shocked by the clarity of my insights. I might see some ugliness - the full moon illuminates all the things I've left in the shadows, some heavy truths and some embarrassing mistakes.

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. 

Queries:

How do I celebrate all the richness and abundance of nature and life and invite it to expand? 

What are the ways I express the gratitude and appreciation I feel?

 

How do I balance the dichotomy of simplicity and abundance? 

Am I able to rest in prosperity, or do I prefer austerity?   

 

How do I prepare for the inevitable times of scarcity and death?

How do I find a rhythm with the cycles of the seasons? 

 

2. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook":

I'm reading this book by Loren Swift (2019), subtitled "Assuming Leadership in a New World." The premise is that lack of care for each other (people) results in lack of care for the earth. "This book details the practical steps to shift the paradigm internally from conflict to cooperation and to make the same shift in relationships and in group endeavors." Well, that is the work I need to do this fall and winter.

The first section is The Way In, and Chapter 2 is The Story of Belonging. She says "Acceptance is key to peace of mind", meaning that "to expect or wish or even demand that things be different than they are is futile. It drains our internal resources and keeps us stuck in conflict, both with ourselves and ... with others". When I insist that my way is right (simple living) and someone else's way is wrong (cars, travel, excess) I am exacerbating separation, inside myself and with others. If I Accept What Is, I can remain openhearted, understanding, and accepting of other's values and my own inconsistencies.

"Accepting our differences is the beginning of dialogue. Without acceptance we resort to judging. ...when we see with the eyes of compassion and acceptance, we tap into resourcefulness."

3. Soul Notes Journal:

The theme of acceptance is a potent one for me. Accepting myself as I am; accepting my loved ones as they are; accepting others with their different values and practices - these differences make life rich and interesting (as well as frustrating).  Can I release the judging I do (of self and others) and accept what is?

4. Proaction and reciprocity plans:

On Wednesdays I often journal a bit about the future, and my dreams and goals: What GREAT things do I want to accomplish? How will I serve people? How will I use my talents? How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential?

Then I try to define achievable, meaningful goals and prioritize the goals and tasks with the greatest long-term impact.

This next week I hope to:

1. Write minutes and a report that is an exciting view of our Earthcare Action plans.
2. Write about regenerative gardening and leaving a wild winter garden.
3. Make a small start on a neighbor letter with names of actual butterflies to try to feed in our gardens, and plantings
4. Continue to plant and transplant native plants - work on my hugelkulture
5. Share my essay about the intersection of Gardens and Earthcare in our Seasonal Reflections blog?
6. Update our Earthcare web page.

5. Celebrate abundance:
Today I remind myself of my intentions for the month, and then celebrate how far I've come, give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received, and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. 

Each month I choose a different way to celebrate the full moon, and I am ready to celebrate abundance today in these ways:

1. Write about my blessings

2. Take time outside in the rain to notice the abundance of Autumn.

3. Collect leaves with my grandson.

 

6. 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.