Full Frost Moon and Xia Yuan Jie

Today is 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. Update my altar
2. Practice at my theme of Synergy
3. Hold the world in the light

4. Walk down the Amazon Creek

1. 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.

2. 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, live holistically, 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 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. And NOW, as we are caretakers for our grandson three days a week, we are experiencing that in a whole new way.

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.

Another part of synergy is wholistic living: Seeing all the roles and aspects of my life as an interconnected system, and creating connections that yield exponentially greater results.

Teamwork is not my forte, and it's challenging for me even when we are NOT in a pandemic. I have found ways to play parts in my community that are (mostly) comfortable. I need to continue to choose carefully where to put my energy and be open to where God is leading me to work. 

My intentions this month:

• Continue to work persistently with my Quaker community to find safe ways to be together and engage in the work of the Meeting.
• Find creative ways to be together with my family this holiday season.
• Engage all of myself (physical, mental, spiritual) in my priorities so that I create an explosion of power!
• Grand-parenting teamwork!

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.

4. Walk down the Amazon Creek:

This week of advent I'm giving attention to "unity with the earth". To pay respect to Shui-Guan, and to my neighborhood waterway, I will walk down the Amazon creek today, visit the ducks who live there, and feed them some duck pellets and lettuce.