Xia Yuan Jie and Full Frost Moon

 

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. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook"

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans

4. Soul Notes journal

5. Celebrate abundance

6. Hold the world in the light

Full Harvest Moon

The full Harvest Moon rises this evening -- obliquely, close to the horizon -- and remains big and bright for a long time, giving extra light to harvesters. This moon is called Atchiutchutin, the After-Harvest moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, because the big harvest in our area comes earlier. 

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.

1. Take a vision walk:

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, and I might have some profound new understandings. 

This month, as I have explored my life-path, I've been swept into my own depths. I’m directed back at every turn into deeper waters within, to watch the unfolding of my purpose. I need courage, because the abyss is dangerous, the path is mysterious, and it leads to unexpected challenges and changes.

Like water, I am persistent and sincere, and I keep flowing. Today I'm going to settle into silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - and seek a leading of the spirit with an open mind and heart, using these queries:

When I grow up (when I reach my full potential), what kind of person do I want to be, and what kind of life do I want to lead? In what ways am I off that path now, and what small adjustments could I make to get on course? 

What is my framework or guidance system for my day-to-day priorities and choices? 

What are my highest values? If I follow them to the deepest place of love, joy, generosity, fulfillment and peace, what work do they point to that I am to do for others? 

 

What in my life is asking for the light of Truth to shine on it? What choices am I facing? What paths am I resisting? What are the risks? What are the benefits?

From my journal: I truly want to write a book that is a gift to everyone seeking a way forward that is in greater balance with nature. It's the calling that will fill the final years of my life. It will require me to be a bigger and better person; have the strength of my convictions and shift my own life in small and big ways. I will eventually need a council of friends to read and advise me, but for now I am picking up pieces and placing them in the altar of my document, turning them this way and that to see what fits. 

2. Celebrate depth:

My theme ​this month ​is Depth, discerning my true purpose and path in life, working on transformative practices, and committing to my priorities.

Today I remind myself of my intentions for the month, and then celebrate how far I've come, give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received, and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. Each month I choose a different way to celebrate the full moon, and I am ready to celebrate depth today in these ways:

1. Write about the gifts of water.
2. Paint more butterflies on the wall.
3. Meet with my Moon buddies to share my story.

3. Spiritual growth goal:

Last week I worked at Spiritual simplicity and order. This week my practice is developing the strength of my convictions. In my role as writer and teacher, I need to stand firm in my beliefs, and in my resolve to act with integrity and authenticity.

"Conviction is more than just believing in something. It’s the unshakable confidence that what you stand for is worth defending, even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular. The courage of conviction is the strength to follow through on those beliefs, irrespective of opposition, fear, or uncertainty."

Practices:

1. Know my core values
2. Practice self-awareness: understand my strengths, weaknesses, and triggers.
3. Set parameters for behaving with integrity, to reinforce my convictions.
4. Surround myself with people who encourage me to stay true to myself, to help strengthen my resolve.
5. Practice putting my values into consistent action to reinforce my sense of purpose.

Our Studio

The space we call The Studio used to be a garage. We turned it in to a space for teaching art classes, and it functioned that way for many years. Now it's having a second metamorphosis - I'm not teaching anymore, and we need:

• more effective (longer term) storage
• clearer floor space for kid play
• fewer art tools and supplies
• less counter space (which just gets filled with clutter)
• less clutter!

Agenda:

1. The vision

2. The work

3. Love Meditation

Full Thunder Moon

The full moon of July is called ameku, the mid-summer moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, and the thunder moon by others. July days have the humming energy of a summer storm. It's a month of passion and activity: I'm challenged to find integrity in my actions and expand into my Truth.

The sun is at the peak of its power, lighting all corners with its radiance, and burning away all non-essentials. 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.

Agenda: 

1. Take a vision walk

2. Read Brainstorm
3. Clarify my passion plan
4. Four days of passion

4. Celebrate slow passion and courage

Friday

It's Friday, with a bit of a break in people time. I have a couple social commitments today, but they are one-on-one and mellow, amidst a week filled with clerking, family gatherings, and a memorial. Today I get to take time in the garden and with my writing and artwork, to sooth my nerves.

Agenda:

1. Read "First Things First"

2. Vision and goals

Part 3: Passion

I'm continuing my big project to transform my life towards hope, resilience, and flow, because these will allow me to be a wise, flexible, creative, and positive leader for my family, community, and for the earth. 

The last part of the project (that I haven't touched on yet) is to be passionate and brave - let go of caution and involve myself wholeheartedly with what I love. Stretch beyond the way I’ve always done things.

Agenda:

1. Love Meditation

2. Read "First Things First"

3. Creative visioning

4. Make an inspirational postcard

First Quarter Moon of August

The first quarter moon is today; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this August quarter moon's energy to help me to dive deeper into my Truth and then act on it; this requires some open-mindedness, and a reliable connection to my inner guide.

Some people call it intuition, or a gut feeling. You might experience it as butterflies, or tingling on the back of the neck, or as a flash that takes the breath away. Others feel it in their heart; and some might call it a guiding voice, or leading of the spirit. It's that flash of insight, or creative impulse, or sudden clarity you get when you've been working out a problem; or it might be a leading or itch to act on something you never thought of before. It's sometimes quiet and subtle, and sometimes loud and clear.

And when your Inner Guide speaks to you with a message that seems foreign to how you normally think (maybe a rush of new hopefulness, or an urging to action), then it's hard to not credit it to a something outside yourself.

Who's to say?

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries
2. Go on a vision walk

3. Make a full effort plan

Full Thunder Moon and Asalha Puja

The full moon of July is called ameku, the mid-summer moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, and the thunder moon by others. July days have the humming energy of a summer storm (and we had a long, slow thunder storm all through this last night!) It's a month of passion and activity: I'm challenged to find integrity in my actions and expand into my Truth.

The sun is at the peak of its power, lighting all corners with its radiance, and burning away all non-essentials. 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.

Today is also Asalha Puja, a Theravada Buddhist festival that takes place on the full moon of July. Asalha Puja celebrates the Buddha's first sermon, in which he set out the teaching of the four noble truths. The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons.

Agenda: 

1. Take a vision walk

2. Study the Four Noble Truths

3. Read Writing and Being

4. Celebrate integrity

Full Snow Moon and Lantern Festival

Tonight is the full moon called the Snow Moon; also called the Atchiulartadsh, or "Out of Food" moon by the local Kalapuya.

We've not had any snow this month, and we are not out of food, but it is a lean time: Lean on light, barren garden beds, and low on energy.

Tonight is also Yuan Xiao, the 15th and last day of the Chinese New Year Festival. Yuan Xiao means "first night", meaning the first time that the full moon is seen in the New Year. 

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. The February full moon is a good time to explore what it's like to be the receptive earth, accepting the seed and willing to nurture it. 

Agenda for today:

1. Vision walk

2. Celebrate receptivity

3. Read about inspiration

4. Make tang yuan, sweet dumplings
5. Hang a lantern
6. Riddle guessing

Full Wolf Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Tonight is the full moon of January, called atalka - the "Stay Inside Moon" - by the Kalapuya of my area, and the Wolf Moon by others, because of the hungry packs of wolves that used to roam for prey at this time of deep winter. The full Wolf Moon is a good time to ponder what I am hungry for, and how to be resilient.

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. The full moon shines her light on everything; use the full moon energy for creatively completing things, and for seeing your next moves, and also to CELEBRATE how far you've come and give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received.

Agenda for today:

1. Read "Root and Ritual"

2. Vision walk

3. Celebrate discernment

4. Inspiration Walk

Sabbath for Epiphany

January 6th is Epiphany, the final day of the Christmas season. This was the day when the three Magi arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus, and recognized that he would grow up to be a great helper of people.

Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphania, meaning manifestation, or moment of recognition. The Magi had an epiphany - a moment of recognition, when the truth became clear through something simple and striking.

The one is the way to the many; the specific is the way to the spacious; the now is the way to the always; the here is the way to the everywhere; the material is the way to the spiritual; the visible is the way to the invisible. When we see contemplatively, we know that we live in a fully sacramental universe, where everything is an epiphany. 

—Richard Rohr 

Agenda for today:

1. Epiphany meditation

2. Year of Witness

3. Witness practices for January

4. Make a resolutions postcard

5. Bake a King's cake and make a crown

6. Kitchen blessing

Infinite Possibilities

I open to the infinite possibility of grace; as we balance on the cusp of winter, and our days grow darker, I rest in the knowledge that my life will unfold as it will. I am guided by my inner light, but also by my inner darkness - they are both integral parts of me. But ultimately, I am not in control of events, only how I respond. 

Agenda:
1. Read "How to Manifest"

2. Make a bucket list

3. Gratitude

4. Unity Art vision

Full Squirrel Moon

Tonight is the full moon called the Squirrel Moon, because now the squirrels are busily gathering nuts for the winter. This moon is also called Atchalankuaik, the "start getting sagittair roots" moon, by the Kalapuya of our area (sagittair is a potato like tuber). 

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.

Agenda:

1. Read "How to Manifest"

2. Take a vision walk

3. Celebrate abundance

4. Autumn blessings walk

Full Thunder Moon and Asalha Puja

The full moon of July is called ameku, the mid-summer moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, and the thunder moon by others. July days have the humming energy of a summer storm. The sun is at the peak of its power, lighting all corners with its radiance, and burning away all non-essentials. It's a month of passion and activity: I'm challenged to find integrity in my actions and expand into my Truth.

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.

Today is also Asalha Puja, a Theravada Buddhist festival that takes place on the full moon of July. Asalha Puja celebrates the Buddha's first sermon, in which he set out the teaching of the four noble truths. The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons.

Agenda: 

1. Take a vision walk

2. Celebrate abundance

3. Read Happier at Home

4. Study the Four Noble Truths

Full Strawberry Moon

Tonight is the full moon called anishnalya, the "camas ripe" moon by the Kalapuya of our area, and the Strawberry Moon by others.

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. 

Agenda:

1. Take a vision walk

2. Celebrate synergy

3. Read Happier at Home

4. Synergy with my garden

Epiphany and Full Wolf Moon

January 6th is Epiphany, the final day of the Christmas season. This was the day when the three Magi arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus, and recognized that he would grow up to be a great helper of people.

Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphania, meaning manifestation, or moment of recognition. The Magi had an epiphany- a moment of recognition, when the truth became clear through something simple and striking.

And tonight is the Full moon of January, called atalka - the "Stay Inside Moon" - by the Kalapuya of my area, and the Wolf Moon by others, because of the hungry packs of wolves that used to roam for prey at this time of deep winter. The full Wolf Moon is a good time to ponder what I am hungry for, and how to be resilient.

Photo by Alan Gillespie

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. The full moon shines her light on everything; use the full moon energy for creatively completing things, and for seeing your next moves, and also to CELEBRATE how far you've come and give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received.

Agenda for today:

1. Epiphany queries

2. Vision walk

3. Celebrate stillness

4. Begin to update my Vision Poster

5. Bake a King's cake

6. Make a crown

Full Harvest Moon and Autumn Moon Festival

The full Harvest Moon rises this evening -- obliquely, close to the horizon -- and remains big and bright for a long time, giving extra light to harvesters. This moon is called Atchiutchutin, the After-Harvest moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, because the big harvest in our area comes earlier. We are enjoying the last weeks of the sun-baked summer, a profound and abundant time of the year.

Today is also the start of Chung Ch’iu, the 3-day Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. It's a happy and beautiful Asian family celebration that comes each year at the time of the full moon in September or October.

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.

Agenda for today:
1. Take a vision walk
2. Celebrate synergy

3. Make moon cakes
4. Have a moon-viewing party

Holy Obedience

The word obedience has a stigma, since women's liberation happened; we don't love, honor, and obey anymore.

Phycology defines obedience as "social influence that involves performing an action under the orders of an authority figure". It differs from compliance (which involves changing your behavior at the request of another person) and conformity (which involves altering your behavior in order to go along with the rest of the group). Obedience requires surrendering your ego to someone you have agreed to let do your thinking for you.

Holy obedience then is to follow the orders of your inner guidance, your leadings, the orders you get from God. 

I'm not at all good at obedience!  

Agenda:

1. Take a vision walk

2. Read Testimony of Devotion

3. Obedience plans

Happy Birthday!

This week my grandson had his 2nd birthday, and we celebrated with great joy!

Agenda:

1. Read (and Practice) the Happiness Habit

2. Plan and prepare for a party

3. Celebrate a birthday!

Full Snow Moon and Lantern Festival

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Tonight is the full moon called the Snow Moon; also called the Atchiulartadsh, or "Out of Food" moon by the local Kalapuya. 

We've not had any snow this month, and we are not out of food, but it is a lean time: Lean on light, barren garden beds, no excursions and not much social interaction.

Tonight is also Yuan Xiao, the 15th and last day of the Chinese New Year Festival. Yuan xiao means "first night", meaning the first time that the full moon is seen in the New Year. This festival's other name is the Lantern Festival, because folks will make or buy lanterns of all kinds - shaped like flowers, or boats, or birds; made of bamboo, silk or paper; decorated with paintings, embroidery, paper cuts, tassels, and fringe - and tonight everyone takes to the streets to display their lanterns. It’s like a carnival: Children dress in costumes and watch parades with lighted floats, fireworks displays, puppet shows, and dances.

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. The February Full Moon is a good time to ponder what new seeds you want to invite into your life.

Agenda for today:

1. Vision walk

2. Celebrate receptivity

3. Gratitude practice

4. Make tang yuan, sweet dumplings
5. Hang a lantern
6. Riddle guessing