I just received this email from Feng Shui Shopper and it brought me many good memories. First, that of my old neighbors who had a side business during August and September of making mooncakes late into the night. Their kitchen was right outside of our bedroom. While I love mooncakes and the symbolism of this harvest moon, I used to dread the time of year when we would hear the sound of chopping and pots banging late into the night. The second memory that came up was that of my beloved Chinese herb teacher, Dr. Zhang. For many of the hundreds of herbs he taught us, he would tell us a story to go with it which was both entertaining and made it easier to remember the functions of the herbs. He said I reminded him of the lady on the moon because I used to wear my hair on top of my head as she does in the picture above.
Moon Goddess Chang-e
Tonight is a very special full moon. Some say it’s the most magical moon of the year. While enjoying the festival hang lanterns, eat some cake with your significant other and make a wish! (Moon cakes if you can get them – round cookies or pastries with filling will do.) Place mirrors outside in the moonlight to empower your divine feminine energy. The magical full moon of the ‘Chinese Moon Lantern Festival’ is tonight!
The festival celebrates three fundamental concepts which are closely tied to one another:
• Gathering, such as family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops
• Thanksgiving, to give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions
• Praying (asking for conceptual or material satisfaction), such as for babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or for a good future
“Under the spell of the mid-autumn full moon, lovers are drawn irresistibly together.” Traditionally it is also a night to express strong yearnings toward your home and to think of family members who live far away.
Goddess Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit
According to tradition, the Rabbit pounds medicinal herbs, with a mortar and pestle, for the gods. Some say that the Jade Rabbit is another embodiment of Chang’e herself. The dark areas at the top of the full moon may be seen as the figure of a rabbit. The animal’s ears point to the upper right while, at the left, are two large circular areas representing its head and body.
In this legend, three fairy sages transformed themselves into pitiful old men and begged for food from a fox, a monkey and a hare. The fox and the monkey both had food to give to the old men but the hare, empty-handed, jumped into a blazing fire to offer his own flesh instead. The sages were so touched by the hare’s sacrifice and act of kindness that they inducted him into the Moon Palace where he became the “Jade Rabbit.”
Enjoy!
In Chinese tradition lanterns represent guidance, and are considered signposts for guests and spirits of ancestors, to guide them to the lunar celebrations.