The nighttime luminary holds great significance in the Chinese calendar system. Nowadays, Luna’s passage through the sky is pretty much used to determine cultural and religious Festivals. Tonight’s Frost Moon on 27 November in Gemini (2023) is especially significant to Taoist devotees, with this Full Moon called the Xia Yuan Festival. There are five Full Moon centric festivals of note in the Chinese calendar, two more familiar than the others. The Lunar Lantern festival which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the year which signals the end of Chinese New Year festivities (Spring Festival). And the second is the on the 15th day of the eight lunar month, known also as ‘Zhong Yuan’ but more commonly called Mid Autumn or Mooncake Festival. All five Moon festivals occur on the 15th day of a Chinese lunar month.
Read moreAugust Blue Moon + Ghost Festival
Kawanabe Kyosai (Japanese, 1831-1889)
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).
Read moreNovember Full Moon
Asian art often depicts lunar months with animal and flower pairings. Typically the tenth lunar month is illustrated by way of ducks and Chrysanthemums. But since the season of Winter reigns, from a solar terms perspective, other flowers can feature, like the plum blossom as seen above. Luna is exalted in Taurus and six months prior we had the New moon at the exact degree of Exaltation. Something seeded back then may come into fruition now - see 7th solar term to jog your memory.
Read moreOctober Full Moon
The first full moon* (times below) since the Equinox is upon us. It's the mid-point of the ninth lunar month or Chrysanthemum month as its known to the Ancient Chinese. Asian art often depicts the lunar month with a Chrysanthemum, accompanied by a dragonfly. Find out what the Oct moon has in store no matter your domicile.
Read moreMoon Lore :: Open Day + FENG SHUi iSM Friday
Your MOON LORE :: PERSONAL + BUILDING + GARDENING + GROOMING for 19th October 2018.
Happy FENG SHUI ISM Friday!
You just gotta love Fridays, it’s the end of the working week for most folk and the benefic planet Venus, is the ruler of the day. Mind you she’s in REtrograde motion till Nov. 16th so the Goddess requests us to REassess the areas of life she governs - love, beauty and money.
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