This month’s Full moon lunation goes by many names*, depending on your domicile and cultural preference. Named the Sturgeon Moon by Indigenous Americans due to sturgeon (a type of fish, famous for Beluga caviar) which is more readily caught in August and early September. Most moon ‘names’ have seasonal references. Chinese and English folk refer to this lunation as Harvest Moon, as it’s the beginning of harvest season in Northern Hemisphere. This year you’ll also hear of a Super Blue moon; the adage ‘once in a blue moon’ offers a clue, simply put it’s two full moons in a Georgian calendar month and the Super bit, occurs when Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth and it’s slightly brighter and larger than a typical full moon. This lunation is in Pisces (times below).
GHOST FESTIVAL
Chinese folks place great significance on this particular Full moon. It’s one of five Full moon festivals honoured in the Chinese calendar. The seventh Lunar month is a mid-point of the Chinese year. On the first day of the seventh lunar month, the Ghost Gate is opened. Ancestors and loved ones return home to reunite with their families and monitor their good deeds. In Chinese culture, festivals that mark the 15th day of the Lunar month, ensures Luna will be Fullest. It also marks the birthday of the God of Hell, who on the night of the Hungry Ghost Festival, Zhongyuan Festival, the God of Hell is said to close up the gate of hell .
On the Festival day, people burn paper money for the dead family members and float the river lanterns to make a wish. We’re currently in the Seventh Lunar month and the Double Seven Festival (QiXi) (7th day of 7th lunar moon) has just come to pass. Now, the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the Ghost Festival (Yu Lan) commences. Like many festivals the world over, it’s true meaning has been lost to commercialism. Hungry Ghost Month as it’s sometimes called is ‘Ubon Festival’ to Taoists, generally occurs around mid-August. This year (2023) that date falls on 31 August, in the Gregorian (universal) calendar.
According to Dr. Ong Seng Huat, chief executive director of Xiao En Cultural Foundation - the term ‘Hungry Ghost’ was coined by the English. The festival essence signals a time for family to reunite and to remember the deceased.
It marks a mid-point of the Chinese year, and a time of reflection. The seasonal shift into Autumn, aligns with the West direction on the Chinese Lopan - which correlates with ancients philosophy that the sun sets in the West, symbolizing death. The number Seven also holds significance as the number of Resurrection. In times past the drop in temps with the passage of seasons often resulted in death of the elderly and those of a weaker constitution. Like any culture, loss of life tragically is regrettable and the ancients believed their ancestors needed prayers and ritual to give them a fitting send off. Joss sticks were burned but unlike today’s commercial renditions, the originals contained herbal blends known only to the village shamans and herbalists - to deter the spread of disease, among other things.
CULTURAL CUSTOMS
The story goes in modern Chinese Folklore that spirits get a "summer vacation" from the Otherworld, returning to the mortal world causing mischief, enjoying feasts including performing in the Chinese opera! Chinese folk are uber respectful of spirits and ghosts and conduct their daily activities with extra caution.
Long story short — staying away from risks and supernatural antics especially children, seniors, weak or sensitive folk are particularly susceptible to encounter evil spirits and should avoid night excursions in the night of Ghost Festival.
Any Nocturnal Pursuits, be it taking a tour or late night transport, walking alone somewhere less populated, even staying up late or talking of Ghosts at night, especially if your Ba Zi is weak, leaves you vulnerable to spirit encounters. moving into new homes is a no-no; otherwise evil spirits follow you to your new abode. And addressing folk by their name is also avoided; instead adopt a call sign. For it’s said ghosts may take three souls and the sixth sense of the person you call by name! Nor, do folk wear anything with your name inscribed. But no matter the month but especially the 7th lunar month; a Banyan tree, by your entrance is a favoured spirits meeting point. Banyan trees are parasitic; starting life as a seed on another tree, growing as a vine dependent on the tree for support— eventually strangles its host tree, consuming its structure.
Chinese folk are devout and take burial very seriously, people who pass over during Ghost Month sometimes have their funeral delayed till the end of Ghost month. The ancient Chinese also believed natural and man-made disasters were frequent occurrences in the Seventh Lunar Month. Ancestors are welcomed with bonfire offerings and recitations of Buddhist scripture at their ancestral shrine. While veneration of the dead involves placated spirits with prayers, offerings of chicken, pork, rice spirits, wine, banquets and k’o t’ous (archery bows). A grand scale sacrifice ceremony may involve offering a meal, while the simpler offerings of fruits and desserts are just as acceptable. Food sacrifice quells troubles if spirits accept your food offerings. Take note - eating your sacrifices; is just as taboo and invites ill luck. Tall 2.5-meter candles/Joss sticks are lit to honor the dead - the pair of the digits, two and five are significant in Feng Shui also as when these digits combine on a floorplan, they often indicate an area within the home where spirits can linger - the pairing also signifies death. Paper flags are also hung over doorways to keep out the hungry ghosts.
Small fires and incense are burnt with the Chinese ‘like for like’ philosophy unfolding in the burning of paper objects - such as televisions, Rolex’s, cell phones, expensive cars and “hell money” to appease the ghosts and encourage them to bring about good fortune. Such rituals take place at the graves of ancestors or at altars of the dead within the deceased’s home.
Depending on the circumstance, monks and Taoist priests also conduct special rituals to placate “hungry ghosts". Veneration of Lao Tzu’s teaching on morality are sometimes takes on an Atonement nature. Ubon Festival is both veneration of Deities and advocates for good deeds to overcome sins of ancestors. Asian communities have been upholding the tradition of ancestral worship since time immemorial.
ASTROLOGICAL MAGICK
The upcoming August Blue supermoon (2023) in the western astrological system occurs in the zodiacal sign of Pisces; oft referred to as a compassionate and empathic zodical sign. Luna is visibly fullest from 11:35 am 31 Aug., Sydney - see your time zone below. Thursday is a Jupiter day and jupiter is also the ruler of Pisces.; adding Moon Jupiter vibes.
Wicca folk refer to this moon as ‘Wyrt’, as healing plants were once called Worts, or Wyrts and a ‘Wyrtyard’ is a herbal garden - Old English terms rooted in Anglo-Saxon ancestry. Traditionally herbs are harvested with respect to the movements of the sun and the moon which ensured the potency of herbal medicine.
Astrological plants with links to the sign of Pisces are ferns, seaweed, lotus and other water loving specimens. Ferns were used in Irish cleansing ceremonies. While Lotus is deeply spiritual and ties in nicely with the seventh Lunar month known as 'Orchid or Skills Month' to the Ancient Chinese. A seasonal reference as orchids are lush and in abundance in the N. Hemi. In traditional paintings the pairing of a bird and plant can also reference a lunar month - this month features a Lotus and Kingfisher. Tailsmanic makers will note Pisces aligned crystals are Deep amethyst and blue topaz.
RITUALS + ANCESTRAL WORSHIP
Working with the full moon gravitational energies as it wanes in the night sky is considered a great time to remove, clear and cleanse. It’s also a 除 Remove Day in Chinese
day selection system. Meaning it’s a good time to get rid of things that are no longer useful, things that have served their purpose. Typically deemed ideal for banishing. As the moonbeams diminish from the night skies over the following two weeks so too will the sentiment you have focused your intention around and remove or draw out the negative aspect.
Astro Magicians maybe keen to use aforementioned resins on the night of the full moon in a banishing ritual.
If you have an ancestral altar at home but neglected to maintain a regular offering practice for your ancestors, then the current full moon could be an opportune time to restore the practice. Be sure to clean and cleanse the space when renewing the practice. The Chinese do believe the gates of hell are flung open to let the tormented souls out to roam the Earth, and close on this full moon returning to the Other-world. So be sure to shield and call upon your chosen ancestor and not that of a malefic spirit. In feng shui, altar position is specific so if you have had a consult, your energetic floorplan will highlight the best position for solemn veneration.
*AUGUST FULL MOON NAMES
The Full moon in the month of August goes by many other names - Dog Days Moon by Colonial Americans, Harvest Moon by the Chinese, Women's Moon by Choctaw Native Americans, Dispute Moon in Celtic circles, Corn Moon in Medieval England, Lightening Moon by Neo Pagans, Wyrt Moon by Wicca folk, Sturgeon Moon by Indigenous Americans and Grain Moon in England.
FULL MOON 7 Pisces
Sydney :: 31Aug @11:35am
Dublin :: 31Aug @2:35am
New York :: 31Aug @9:35am
Happy August or Seventh lunar moon, wherever you’re domicile.
“Living eye to eye with Ancient wisdom ”
— FENG SHUi iSM