“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.”
– Albert Einstein

This week as I stay awake late collecting the waxing moonlight for a cure, Einstein’s quote and my friend’s words, “Just because you don’t understand something, doesn’t mean you have to put it down or fear it.” filtered through my thoughts. It occurred to me it would be a missed opportunity if I didn’t talk to you about a subject that is the underpinnings of the work that I do – superstition. Rare indeed and equally profound, tomorrow is a full moon plus friggatreiskaidekaphobia aka Friday the 13th. If you have experienced accidents or conflict on either of these days, it may be hard to swallow but you need not anticipate this double whammy as a cause for double trouble. You can shift your anticipation from a bump in the road to a bright spot. Let me share with you why and how.

Taoist Master Deng Ming-Dao wrote, “The moon is faithful to its nature yet its power is never diminished.” Before science there was superstition, folk cures and rights of passage to ensure a life of safety and prosperity. Before science, life was rich with connectivity to Nature. Continuity via tribal tradition and family unity were celebrated with cultural rituals that included the moon. Water was honored as the essence of life; we are born from a watery womb and we are made of 70% water. Primal and creative, the moon has the power to influence the tides and to pull an entire ocean from shore to shore. Equally profound the moon can pull the tides of our emotions within us too. In the early development of Chinese cosmology, this constellation quickly acquired cultural significance because of it’s life altering qualities and gentle influence. The Chinese believe the moon’s indirect reflection and bright silver, fullness bring a happy life. Its mystery continues to captivate our gaze and its 28 day waxing and waning cycle has birthed myths and ceremonies that emulate its essence.  

Our 21st century urban mindset and high tech world may get us through the day but our computer-age brain still needs the basic requirements for safety, comfort and prosperity that only ritual can fully satisfy. Eventful times need ritual. It gets to the heart of our emotions like a mother comforting her child. The moon is the great crone, the grand mother of all, the Yin to the sun’s Yang, the other half of the Tao. Without the moon life would stagnate, there would be no hope for peace within, a sense of benevolence, balance, nor forward movement.

Select BSTB Feng Shui methods and rituals honor the moon.
Anger dissipates your sensibilities. If you find your emotions are getting the better of you, someone just cut in front at the check stand or a car nearly hit yours and this has left your fuming, when it is safe take yin time, take five to draw within yourself. Here is a spiritual breathing method that may help. Hold your hands in the heart calming mudra (left hand over right, thumbs together, palm up) and place them over your tan’tien (two inches below your navel). As you take a deep breath in through your mouth, chant: gate, gate, para gate, para sum gate, bodhi swoha, nine times. Breath in positive karma and good luck. Visualize and focus on the cool light of the moon and see yourself releasing distractions. See it penetrate your cells, smooth the Ch’i throughout your body, its silver essence relaxes your mind. See tension release when you exhale in eight short puffs with the ninth puff expelling all the air in your lungs. See any negative karma and bad luck disappear. Repeat nine times. Email me for the complete spiritual breathing method. Red envelopes apply.