Full Hare Moon and Passover

Carmella and Toffee

Tonight is the full moon; this one is called the Hare Moon, because this is the month when rabbits leap and play and mate.

Tonight is also the start of Passover, the oldest of the Jewish holidays. It celebrates the story of how God set the Jewish people free from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan, which is the night of the first full moon after the equinox.

The highlight of Passover is the Seder, a ceremonial meal that begins at sunset on the first night. The Seder focuses on the traditional symbolic foods that are used to help remember the Passover story. The whole family gets involved, each taking turns reading out of the haggadah (Hebrew for “narration”). The youngest person chants the Four Questions which ask why Passover is observed the way it is. After the initial ceremony the family shares a feast, then one final part of the Seder, and finally singing and poetry.
I don't hold a Passover Seder because it's too important of a ceremony. Instead, I honor the start of Passover with some thought and discussion on the themes, some Hebrew prayers, and a nice Jewish meal.

Agenda for today:

1. Altar:

It's time to clear my altar, and discern what to put on it 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?

Today I returned:

• eggs, for hope, new beginnings, and completeness
• crosses to remind myself to die and be reborn every day, and also to remind myself to speak truth to power.

and added-

• a golden candle for balance in the center
• a cat for independance, mystery, and balance

2. Clean the kitchen:
To prepare for Passover, Jewish families clean their homes very thoroughly and remove all leftover foods from the house so that no leavened products are left. I don't need to remove all the leavened foods, but today I will clean the kitchen floor and counters.

3. Journal:

Passover is about freedom from slavery, oppression, and confinement, but Judaism defines true freedom as the ability to express who you really are. If something in my heart and soul has not had the opportunity to be expressed, then I am not yet free.

Today I will review the intentions I set 2 weeks ago, at the new moon, and also contemplate and write about what freedom means to me.

Do these goals all still seem vital? What are my next steps?
What is in my heart and soul that needs expressing?How might I find greater balance?

4. Practice at my theme:

I set my theme at the new moon; this month it's balance- the balance of yin and yang, concentration and mindfulness, action and study, social and alone time, yearning and resistance.

It's spring, and I am ready to give myself passionately to life, refreshed and renewed after the long winter. I'm ready to say YES with vigor, and enjoy the surprises, confusion, and chaos. At the same time, I want to retreat- to be still, write in my notebook, read a good book, think of nothing and do nothing.

I need balance- somewhere between emptiness and chaos is the state of just enough. Balance is about knowing what I really want out of my life, making a commitment, and sticking to it. It’s an ongoing dynamic process, a balancing act! 

My action intentions for the next two weeks:

• Work a couple days a week on a large flower painting I've begun.
• Clear more clutter and finish some house cleaning and projects (before guest arrive for the wedding in May!) 
• Work for a few minutes each day in the garden.
• Add some healthy daily habits, including daily mindfulness exercises.
• Get a better grip on my budget for the spring and summer. 

5. Passover blessing: 

Barukh atah AdonAI, eloHAYnu melekh ha’olam, hazan et ha’olam kull O betuvo, bechen bechesed uvrachamin.

Blessed art Thou, our God of the Universe, who nourishes the universe in goodness, with grace, kindness, and compassion.