Full Frost Moon and Xia Yuan Jie

 

Today is Xia Yuan Jie (pronounced "Shaw you-an Jee-a") -- Lower Primordial Festival -- a Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, usually the full moon of November. 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 Frost Moon, called that 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.

This moon is also known as the Alangitapi moon - the Moving-Inside-for-Winter moon, by the Kalapuya people of my valley.

We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon. But today it's time to CELEBRATE! 

Agenda:
1. Take a vision walk
2. Celebrate abundance

3. Cook the pumpkins
4. Hold the world in the light

1. Take a vision walk:

My theme this month is Abundance, and Gratitude: Abundance is like a gentle wind of blessings blowing with determination into your life. The wind is all the fortunate influences that shape your life - friends, family, society, and also outside forces and situations. Abundance blows steadily, and over time will influence and shape you. You need to maintain integrity and awareness to avoid being swayed or blown in the wrong direction, but you will achieve the greatest success by yielding to prospects brought on the wind. 

I've been finding ways to invite abundance into my life, and into the world, by cultivating an abundance consciousness; that is, I acknowledge the blessings I have already, find ways to express my gratitude, get clear about what blessings I want to see for the world, and challenge myself to help to create them, because if I can truly believe that there’s enough for everybody, I will find ways to make it so. 

Today I will settle into silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - by putting myself into a relaxed, trance-like state, and seeking a leading of the spirit. I call on the Spirit of Light to guide me, bring me clarity and open my eyes.

What abundance do I want for myself and for the world?

What are the habits or practices I could have to expand abundance in the world?

How do I express my gratitude to people, the earth, and to God?

 

2. Celebrate abundance:

Pumkin express, 2021

Today I will celebrate abundance by:

• Cooking up enough pumpkin for thanksgiving pies, plus some to freeze for later, and by giving away the rest.
• Planning gift-making projects for winter holidays, and collecting the supplies I need.
• Gathering with my family and friends by zoom, to drink a toast to democracy, after the polls close tonight.

3. Cook the pumpkins:

The secret to good pumpkin pie is to use fresh pumpkin. We had so many pumpkins this year that I have some to give away - anyone need a pie?

To cook, I chop each pumpkin in half, clean out the centers, and bake them at 250ºF until they were soft. Then I scoop them out of the skins and put the pumpkin in containers in the refrigerator or freezer.

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.