Like every lunar month, when the numerical day and month match, it marks a festival or ritual of sorts. Today is the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month (3rd April 2022) known as the Spring Purification Festival; the Double Third Festival or ‘Shangsi’ Festival. The festival was famed for composing poems and the legendary Yellow Emperor’s birthday is also celebrated - he was reputed to be the sage creator of the Chinese Calendar, but where was the wisdom attained?

The Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wang Mu) is also said to share a birthday on this day. She’s said to embody pure yin, the female principle. Sometimes called Metal Mother; as the West is aligned to Metal in Chinese metaphysics. West is also linked to season of Autumn, the setting sun, grief and death. Her most noted affliction is with the quest for immortality - highly sought after by Daoists, hence her revered Deity status. She’s said to preside over the dead and afterlife, so the opening of portals between the living and the dead is on offer today.

The Queen of the Far West controls the cosmic forces: time, space and the pivotal Great Dipper constellation. An old folk customs notes an Eastern mother is also venerated on the third lunar day. Interesting the Yellow Emperor’s birthday on this day - famed for the creation of the Chinese calendar. However, history no matter the culture, has suppress the Goddess and Matriarch. Xi Wangmu was the ultimate source of teachings, her council was sought by Emperors and her cosmic wisdom and teachings the origin of the Calendar perhaps?

Another major aspect of the unique Festival has caught my eye. It involves a cleansing ritual to prevent disease and dispel bad luck by warding off disaster and keeping evil spirits at bay. The Western goddess has destructive power, believed capable of causing epidemics, but equally defy in averting and cures diseases. Which is rather timely; I’m sure you’ll agree given the lingering global pandemic.

According to Ma Boying’s book on Chinese Medicine; a ‘Fu Xi’ cleanse was typically undertaken at the Spring Purification Festival. ‘Fu’ means removing evil and ‘Xi’ means cleansing the body. Therefore a ‘Fu Xi’ was to clean the body and remove evil or sick Qi - eliminating dangerous illness and restoring wellbeing. Typically the ritual took place at temples or at a ‘she’ - a place where one sacrificed to the spirit of the land. ‘She Wu’ is a mountain in the KunLun mountain ranges, where Jade is mined and the Queen of the West is said to reside. “Snake Shaman” Wu, is a female Shaman and She or Si also means Snake. The ritual was especially popular on this chosen day and generally conducted by the riverside, with the addition of fragrant herbs. The flow of the river was equally important, flowing towards the East was said to be necessary. East and the digit ‘3’ relate to the season of Spring in Chinese metaphysics.

In N.H it’s Springtime, fertility was foremost on the minds of young folk, so they venerated Gao Me, the Goddess of Marriage and Fertility. People would pray to her to aid in childbearing. A ‘Fu Xi’ was also said to cure women’s infertility. Preserving or pickling an Orchid was also a common custom. Its roots lie in the tradition of Qu Shui Liu Shang, a tradition where poets gathered to create poems and drink wine. Vessels of wine were floated on the river, whomever it stopped at they drank from the vessel and composed a poem. Folklore notes this first happened at the Orchid Pavilion, as illustrated above, hence the tradition of pickling an orchid. The Asian festival is still honoured in some parts of China. Occasionally it coincides with a highly auspicious day in the Tong Shu - a Remove (除 Chu) Day - ideal for cleansing activities, getting rid of bad luck or curing a disease.

Perhaps revive today’s Double Third festival with your own Spring purification bath in the comfort of your own home. Between 3-5pm and 9-11pm are the most beneficial hours of the day.

☎︎ Special Note

It's also an ideal time to conduct a space clearing. Should you need professional assistance with a cleansing ritual in your home or workspace, we are here to assist for local Sydneysiders. Check out the health benefits of our Sacred Space clearing or remote consultation via these links or call us for an obligation free chat, to hear how we can help.

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