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Observing the waxing and waning of the seasonal moon and its reflections... |
| The title of this blog, “Apricot Moon,” is inspired by meditations on the Chinese lunar calendar as presented in The Lunar Tao, Meditations in Harmony with the Seasons, by Deng-Ming Dao. In spite of its roots, the purpose of the blog is not to propagate an “ism.” It does not require any familiarity with Asian philosophy, or, for that matter, invite agreement or disagreement with any particular point of view. This is meant to be an observance of the passing of both the internal and external seasons, an examination into the myriad events and changes occurring in those seasons, an exploration of a landscape in which discovery and contemplation may be revealed and celebrated. May it also be a place where many voices can be heard, a meeting place for those who try to write eloquently and live genuinely. Here, then, are the recurring phases of the Apricot Moon… |
| In the Osmanthus moon… On October 1st, we will see the Osmanthus Moon at its fullest. Osmanthus, also known as Tea Olive or sweet olive, is one of the ten most famous flowers in China. A beloved tea with a lovely scent and flavor, it can be used medicinally to promote healthy skin, lower blood pressure, counter stress, and reduce inflammation. Sources claim the flower is full of antioxidants that promote health and support lung, kidney, and liver function.” The Osmanthus Moon celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival in Asia, a festival also know as the Lantern or Mooncake Festival. It is usually held on the the night of the full moon in the 8th Lunar month, corresponding to mid-September to early October in the Gregorian calendar. The moon is predicted to be full on October 1st of this year. The Chinese believe that the Osmanthus moon is at its fullest and brightest at this time, and the Moon Festival coincides with harvest time in Autumn. It is also a favorite time for Buddhist and Taoist saints and sages to die. One of the holiday favorites are mooncakes, a rich pastry traditionally consisting of bean or lotus paste, sold and consumed in great quantities during the festival celebrations. While they may be a favorite for the young or inexperienced, I have observed hat many people consider these cakes to be too heavy and sweet to enjoy, so they avoid them. A skillful chef can certainly make a less cloying variety of mooncake with flaky pastry and marzipan, but such an innovation might be regarded as a poor facsimile of the traditional mooncake and a Western corruption of an Eastern delicacy. Still, the mooncakes are produced in great quantities; you find them everywhere. They are the edible icon of this yearly celebration, so popular that their sale is sometimes tracked as an economic indicator during the festival period. The Moon Festival is a celebration of the yin principle, a time to comprehend and honor that which is illuminating, airy, and receptive. Hence, it is a time for women, mothers, poets, emotion, creativity, intuition, nature, art, gentleness, mysticism, and the pure miracle of life. The Autumn equinox stands at the gateway of the movement into the yang principle, the active power of technology, government, money, warriors, champions, and patriarchy. It celebrates and encompasses the fullness of yin and the transition into yang as yin and yang engage in their endless dance and transformation in the Tao. Yinyang expresses the principle that “opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another.” The idea of the “man in the moon” or a face in the moon is perceived differently in Asia. There, people view the Jade Rabbit. The story of how the rabbit came to be immortalized in the moon goes as follows: once upon a time, three weak, old men were wandering about the earth; they were really three of the Immortals. They met a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit. The fox and the monkey gave their food to the men, but they did not have enough and the men were still hungry. The rabbit had no food for the men, and out of pity and compassion for their desperate plight, it threw itself into a fire to provide its own body as a restorative meal for the wanderers. , but the rabbit had nothing to eat. Deeply moved by the selflessness of the rabbit, the Immortals restored it to life and sent it to live in the Moon Palace until the end of time. While COVID-19 will make it hard for people to convene for the Moon Festival this year, it can still be celebrated in many ways and its principles commemorated and extolled. Here in the United States, we stand at a critical moment in our history where the very fate of our country hangs in the balance. Illness is ravaging our country, and the harsh judgements and divisions among our people seem to be showing themselves with increasing clarity and, sometimes, violence. The arousal of deep convictions and passions flare are the lighting of the stove that brings fire, warmth, and meaning to our lives, but it can also bring destruction; that fire has to be handled wisely and carefully. The Chinese god of fire is sometimes known as “the Wisher of Warmth.” He is very intelligent, often depicted with a bright red face, but tends to have a very bad temper. The fire of anger that comes forth from the strength of conviction can produce transformative results, but it can destroy us if it is not handled compassionately and wisely. Yes, the times are grave and we are in a somewhat desperate and critical moment. This is a time for controlling temper, not indulging it. After all, tempering is the avoidance of excesses, to moderate and control - and focus in a non-violent, life-affirming way - our temper and passions. Compassion, love, and wisdom will preserve the Wisher of Warmth and not transform him into the Destroyer by Fire. The Moon Festival is a time for gathering and reunion, gratitude and thanksgiving, prayer and aspiration. In gathering, the idea of harvest and pulling in the crops shifts to families and friends gathering and reuniting, a time for coming together. In gratitude, we give thanks for the harvest, for harmonious unions, and for the blessings we receive. And prayer is an integral part of the festival, too. In the most base sense, it is an opportunity to ask for some kind of satisfaction in weather, health, long life, the realization of one’s desires and aims. On a higher level, it embodies the invocation and manifestation of the fullness of Buddha Nature, a radiance that illuminates all-beings without exception. It celebrates inclusion, people coming together, community, and a deep wish for spiritual freedom and liberation. This is our true wish: may all beings may be free from suffering. Make a point of looking for the Osmanthus Moon this year. Look, remember, and aspire. |
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