Thanksgiving, Full Frost Moon, and Xia Yuan Jie

Today is Thanksgiving! Yay! I am looking forward to this Thanksgiving because I will be with my family and dear friends. I've put some energy into talking to everyone so we all have the foods we need to make the day a success, and so we could share the effort and no one feels overworked or stressed- including myself.

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), starting today.

And tonight we see 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.
Agenda:
1. Thanksgiving Meditation for Peace & Abundance
2. Update my altar
3. Finish the food
4. Practice at my theme
5. Give thanks
6. Hold the world in the light

1. Thanksgiving Meditation for Peace & Abundance:
In order to set this day apart, I will treat it as a Sabbath… no unkind words, no rushing, no work that isn’t thankful work. I choose to stay present, notice everything as if in slow motion, and pause often to observe what I am thankful for in the moment.

To start the morning right, I began giving thanks before I got out of bed. I plan to stay in a thanksgiving meditation as long as I can...Take a deep breath and feel deep gratitude for what I have, for the abundance of having a home, a family and friends. I am thankful for the things I usually take for granted. I am thankful that I AM ALIVE.

Sadie hates cameras and always looks anxious in photos.

I give thanks for my warm bed, for my slippers, my dog, my sleeping family, my clean kitchen, and my morning cup of coffee. I pray that my friends and family stay safe and well.

I give thanks for the pies on the table, and the abundance of food in the refrigerator. I pray that others find enough food today to feel full and satisfied.

I give thanks for a home of peace, and a town with no riots or bombing. I pray for peace and justice for my brothers and sisters with darker skins and different faiths, and that I will have the strength to stand with them when things get dangerous.

2. Update my altar:
At the full moon I discern what to put on my altar for the next month. (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 silver candle- for synergy
• pine cones- for the earth
• my straw doll- for luck and protection
• an angel- to remind me to be giving and loving
• an early photo of me and W, as a symbol of synergy.

3. Practice at my theme of synergy:

I pick a new theme each month at the full moon-  this month it's synergy, the ability to seek unity, embrace teamwork, and work tirelessly towards a better end. 

Synergy is the eternally active primal force of creation: No matter what the conditions are, they will change. You create synergy in your life when you make the effort to see clearly, stay open-minded, and take persistent right action. Synergy will allow you to experience the people in your life as angels, and the places you live, work, and play as paradise.


I think we are in great need of angels right now, and I see it happening: My friends, who (like myself) are shy people, have a new fire lit under them.

Engagement photo- 1978

I was struggling a few years ago to think of a meaningful symbol for synergy for my altar, and it came to me that the place I consistently experience synergy is in my marriage. I chose a photo from our youth to remind me that the hard work of being part of a team is ultimately worth the effort.

Teamwork is not my forte, but I have found ways to play a part in my community that are (mostly) comfortable. I need to stay aware of the many needs, but choose carefully where to put my energy and be open to where God is leading me to work. My intentions:

• Keep informed about current events, making an effort to understand both sides of an issue.
• Serve breakfast to the homeless once a month, and dinner whenever the Warming Center is activated (when the temperature drops below freezing).
• Encourage family teamwork with home improvements (and trivia nights).
• Seek synergy and team effort in places I usually don't expect it.

4. Finish the food:
I finished my pies yesterday, and was up at dawn to put the turkey in. Now all I have to do is make the gravy!

5. Give thanks:
Thankfulness is a powerful and transforming emotion. I hope to take time to feel each nuance of the day, to feel gratitude for each person present, and for each dish offered; and give thanks for the food, all the way back to its source and all who handled it on the way to our table.

I hope to take the time to connect deeply with the people I am with and appreciate each person’s uniqueness, and I challenge myself to find out something new about every person at the table.

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