Tonight is the full Red Moon, called that because it often appears reddish as it rises through the sultry haze of late summer - and in our valley, a sultry haze is the norm! One lovely (possibly Native American) explanation for the redness is that the moon is blushing after being kissed by the sun.
Agenda for today:
1. Journal queries
2. Make rakhis
3. Send love and prayers to my sister and brothers
4. Make Kayla Halwa (Banana fudge)
5. Full Moon ceremony
A rakhi is like a friendship bracelet, made with braided embroidery floss, silk thread, and with a decoration shaped like a flower in the middle. Before the festival, the markets in India are filled with dazzling rakhis, in different sizes, colors and shapes, embellished with beads, gold or silver threads, or satin ribbons.
Rhakis are traditionally red and gold: Red symbolizes protection, strength, and a promise, and gold symbolizes good luck. Many girls like to make their own rakhis for sentimental reasons, and the materials and methods they use are endlessly creative. If you do a search online for "how to make a rakhi" you will see some great ideas!
Supplies: Embroidery floss, a ruler, scissors, a bead, button, foam or cardboard flower
3. Send love and prayers to my sister and brothers:
The rakhi is given with great ceremony. On the morning of Raksha Bandhan, each sister sets out a tray with flowers, diya lamps, incense, sweets such as halwa, and the rakhi. The sister applies a tilak on her brother's forehead, then she ties the rakhi on his right wrist, and then offers him blessings to guard him against all harm.
The notion that brothers should protect their sisters might seem old-fashioned; many sisters might say, "I can take care of myself", which is probably true. However, the thought of an expectation of protection makes me happy. I'm not sure how my brothers feel about it.
Today I spent a few minutes during my morning meditation sending blessings, love, and prayers for health and happiness to each of my siblings, picturing them at peace in their homes.
4. Make Kayla Halwa (Banana Fudge) :
3- Add the banana mash to the same ghee and fry for 1 minute.
4- Add the sugar and cook, stirring, until it begins to get a little thick.
5- Add the cashews, rice flour, cardamom, a bit of yellow food coloring (optional).
6- Keep stirring on low heat, 7 - 10 minutes. It will darken and thicken. When you can stir the mixture to one side of the pan and it stays, remove it from the heat.
7- Quickly scoop the mixture into the buttered pan and press to shape- you probably won't fill the pan with such a small batch, but it should hold it's shape anyway. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into small squares.
1. Journal queries:
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.
At this phase of the moon, I'll see the work I've been putting in begin to pay off, but also see where I need to work harder. 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 sit down with my journal, and my New Moon list of goals, and I seek the truth:
Do these aims all still seem vital? What are my deepest reasons for persuing these goals?
What beliefs, obstacles, doubts, or attachements are holding me back? Can I release them now?
What opportunities for growth do I see today? What are my next steps?
Make two lists:
1. Write out the things I want to celebrate: My achievements, and events of the last two weeks that deserve commemoration.
2. Write out a few things I'd like to release this month: Habits, beliefs, obstacles, and attachments.
2. Make rakhis:
A rakhi is like a friendship bracelet, made with braided embroidery floss, silk thread, and with a decoration shaped like a flower in the middle. Before the festival, the markets in India are filled with dazzling rakhis, in different sizes, colors and shapes, embellished with beads, gold or silver threads, or satin ribbons.Rhakis are traditionally red and gold: Red symbolizes protection, strength, and a promise, and gold symbolizes good luck. Many girls like to make their own rakhis for sentimental reasons, and the materials and methods they use are endlessly creative. If you do a search online for "how to make a rakhi" you will see some great ideas!
Supplies: Embroidery floss, a ruler, scissors, a bead, button, foam or cardboard flower1. Choose two colors of embroidery floss- any colors that are meaningful to you- and cut them to 24-inches.
2. Now tape the pieces to the table and twist them together.
When the twist is very tight, double the strands over, holding on to the center point.
Let go of the center and let the two sides twist together- it will look like a crumpled mess, but just pull the folded end out until it's straight.
3. Rakhis traditionally have a flower shaped center. This year I found some sparkly foam flowers... we threaded on a bead, then the flower.
Other options: Cardboard covered with glitter, sequins, or jewels, or a nice button.
2. Now tape the pieces to the table and twist them together.
 |
| The strands are twisted and folded... |
 |
| and now you have a cord! |
Let go of the center and let the two sides twist together- it will look like a crumpled mess, but just pull the folded end out until it's straight.
3. Rakhis traditionally have a flower shaped center. This year I found some sparkly foam flowers... we threaded on a bead, then the flower.
Other options: Cardboard covered with glitter, sequins, or jewels, or a nice button.
3. Send love and prayers to my sister and brothers:
The rakhi is given with great ceremony. On the morning of Raksha Bandhan, each sister sets out a tray with flowers, diya lamps, incense, sweets such as halwa, and the rakhi. The sister applies a tilak on her brother's forehead, then she ties the rakhi on his right wrist, and then offers him blessings to guard him against all harm.
The notion that brothers should protect their sisters might seem old-fashioned; many sisters might say, "I can take care of myself", which is probably true. However, the thought of an expectation of protection makes me happy. I'm not sure how my brothers feel about it.
Today I spent a few minutes during my morning meditation sending blessings, love, and prayers for health and happiness to each of my siblings, picturing them at peace in their homes.
4. Make Kayla Halwa (Banana Fudge) :
The rakhi ceremony ends when the sister offers the brother sweets, such as halwa, an Indian candy made from vegetables or fruit.
Halwa is usually served in small squares, and comes in bright colors- carrot halwa is orange, pistachio is green, mango is red, and banana is yellow! It's like soft caramel, with a strong banana flavor and nice cashew crunch.
Ingredients:
1- Peel and mash the bananas. Roughly chop the cashews. Butter a small cake pan.
2- Heat ghee or butter in a saucepan and fry the nuts until golden. Scoop the nuts out and set them aside.
Ingredients:
- 1-2 ripe bananas (1 c. mashed)
- 2 Tbsp. cashews
- 2 Tbsp. ghee or butter, plus some to oil the pan
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 Tbsp. rice flour
- 1/4 tsp. powdered cardamom
- yellow food coloring (optional)
1- Peel and mash the bananas. Roughly chop the cashews. Butter a small cake pan.2- Heat ghee or butter in a saucepan and fry the nuts until golden. Scoop the nuts out and set them aside.
3- Add the banana mash to the same ghee and fry for 1 minute.
5- Add the cashews, rice flour, cardamom, a bit of yellow food coloring (optional).
7- Quickly scoop the mixture into the buttered pan and press to shape- you probably won't fill the pan with such a small batch, but it should hold it's shape anyway. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into small squares.
5. Full moon ceremony:
The full moon is the right time to celebrate wins and release losses. Since it's a time of high energy and emotion, I use this simple and quiet ceremony:
1. Take the two lists I wrote, along with a lit candle, outside after dusk and look for the moon in the northeastern sky. Plant my feet firmly on the ground, take some slow breaths, and soak up the light of the full moon.
2. Read out my list of things to celebrate: My achievements, and events of the last month that deserve commemoration, and thank the universe.
3. Read out my list of things I'd like to release this month: Habits, beliefs, obstacles, and attachments. Hold this list to the flame and watch the smoke and ash float away.
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