Full Frost Moon and Xia Yuan Jie

Tonight is the full moon called the Frost Moon, 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.

Today is also Xia Yuan Jie-- Lower Primordial Festival-- a Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month. 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).

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.

Agenda for today:
1. Update my altar
2. Practice at my theme
3. Gratitude journal queries
4. Hold the world in the light

1. Update my altar:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next couple of 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?

This month-

• a purple candle- for abundance and gratitude
• dried corn- for the harvest
• a God's eye- to watch over us
• my straw doll- for luck and protection
• an angel- to remind me to be giving and loving

2. Practice at my theme:
The full moon is my monthly time for action and release: I look again at the “seeds of intention” I planted 2 weeks at the new moon and decide on my next steps to take, I take those steps, then I release my expectations in order to clear space for new ideas and new intentions.

My theme this month is gratitude. Increasing my feelings of gratitude will bring me greater satisfaction, vigor, hope, empathy, and (studies show) health! 

Even though the last month has brought some hardship and sorrow, this has been a year of blessings, and I am grateful. My goals this month are:

• to become clearer about what I most value, and let go of everything else;
• to give of myself in small and large ways to make the world a better place;
• and to more often express my gratitude and appreciation of life to the people around me.

3. Gratitude Journal:

At the start of the month I began a daily Gratitude Practice, as I often do, which I will continue through the month. I made a journal with daily queries:

1. Clarify my vision- What do I most want in my life?
What might I release from my life?

2. Create Something- What one thing could I create today to make the world better?

3. Gratitude Journal- What filled me with light today?
How am I living my vision?

4. Hold the world in the light:
Shui-Guan drops in today to check 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've decided to light candles today also, and sit silently holding the world in the light of the Great Spirit that surrounds us all.