Tonight the Harvest Moon shines bright in the night sky.
It also coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival which is one of the most celebrated holidays in the Chinese culture.
As the festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month in the Chinese calendar this means the festival date changes every year in the Gregorian calendar, but it is always around the time of the harvest moon.
Eating the round in shape moon cakes is the best-known custom in Mid-Autumn Festival. For Chinese people, those palm-sized round cakes symbolise family unity and perfection. They eat moon cakes to express their homesickness and love for their family member.
OK, Lulu, we’ll eat mooncakes but I don’t think she will be homesick – but she can now start enjoying celebrating with us.
“We wish you a perfect life just like the roundest moon in Mid-Autumn Day.”
May’s comment: The moon is not only one of the most beautiful things we see in the night skies, but it one of the most mysterious forces in our lives. For a start, the moon has power over our planet Earth – its gravitational pull of the moon control tides, and by slowing the earth’s spin, the moon lengthened our days to the 24 hours we now know.
One would think that, as the moon affects the earth, surely it affects us individually.
I know that whenever I notice a full moon, I always stop and, take in its awe, and make me think about us and the rest of the universe.
No matter how far along Scientists have come to understand the universe, it largely remains a mystery. The power of the moon is one that cannot be easily disproved by science or modern medicine.
One thing we know and accept is that energy plays a big part in our lives.
A friend introduced me to observing the power of the moon phases earlier this year – in particular, the Full Moon and the New Moon.
The Full Moon is the most powerful of the cycle, and therefore the most conducive to addressing major issues or challenges one may be facing. We tap into our emotions and to harness the energy of the moon at its energy peak, manifesting intentions, desires and personal growth, releasing what no longer serves us.
The New Moon phase is a more introspective time and a period of new beginnings. To set clear intentions for the month ahead, clarify one’s goals, and taking steps towards manifesting one’s desires.
Though I may not have seen manifestations in my life or elimination of what is no longer necessary – the rituals does make me stop and think about what it is I really desire and to consciously work towards it. And importantly, to be rid of what does not work for me – letting go of things, especially negative energy.
So along with eating moon cakes tonight, I’ll be manifesting intentions.
Do you observe such rituals?
Sources: Circle DNA Magazine , Centre of Excellence
