Today is the Chinese Moon Festival, and I thought it a most appropriate time to share one of my favorite tales with you. Traditionally, the Moon Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month every year of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This year if falls on October 3rd. It is said that on this special day, the Moon appears at its fullest, and it shines the brightest. In days of old, this was the time when all of the maidens of China, both young and old, would pray to the Moon Goddess to bring them the man of their dreams. They would then eat mooncakes, cookies, and fruits..while burning incense and candles as a gesture of their reverence. Although these old rituals are no longer followed, Chinese families continue to gather together on this day for a day of relaxation. And, on this occasion, the legend of Chang-O is told to the children as the families sit around eating mooncakes.
According to the old Chinese legend, there was once a famous archer, Hou Yi who was married to a beautiful woman, Chang-O. Her greatest fault was that she was far too inquisitive for her own good. Now, at this time, the sky was lit by ten Suns which scorched the Earth so that no crops would grow, threatening the propagation of humankind. So, to avoid this great disastor and the extinction of man, the wise emperor of China summoned Hou Yi and ordered him to slay all but one of the Suns. Yi stepped forward and did as asked. He became an instant hero here on Earth, but became greedy, asking for a reward; as a result, was rewarded with a special pill...the elixir of life, immortality, but he was advised not to take the pill immediately, that he should prepare himself with prayer and fasting for a year. Yi, being a man of great intelligence, did as he was told. He took the pill home and hid it.
The story goes that all was well until one day, while Hou Yi was away from home, Chang-O accidentally discovered the pill and wondering what it would do, swallowed it. Immediately, she realized that she could fly. But, at the very moment that she was hovering about in the air, Yi came home and realizing what she done, became very angry, reprimanding his wife...who then flew out the window and into the sky. Yi sped after her, his bow in hand, but Chang-O flew higher and higher. Yi pursued her halfway across the heavens, but eventually was forced to return to Earth due to the strong winds.
Chang-O, breathless, reached the Moon and coughed up a part of the pill which fell from her mouth. When the Queen Mother of the heavens saw what had happened, she felt badly for Chang-O and gave her a hare to keep her company as well as a woodcutter to cut the Tree of Immortality on the Moon for only when the tree was cut, would Chang-O be allowed to return to her home on Earth. That was a long, long time ago, and the woodcutter is still chopping. As for Yi, he built himself a palice in the sun as Yang (sun, male principle) with Chang-O (the moon, female principle).
Now, whenever there is a full moon, look up into the sky, and you might be able to see the shape of the tree, the woodcutter, and Chang-O herself. And, on one day of every year, on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Yi can visit with his wife. And that, my friends, is why the moon is so full and beautiful on that night.
This story teaches us that we should not be greedy, to help others from our heart and not for the reward We should not take things that do not belong to us because for every action, there is a consequence.
And it is now time for some journal work. As you meditate on the energies of this day, think to what extent negative emotions such as greed, desire, arrogance, envy a part of your life. Have you harmed yourself or others by using this emotional energy in a destructive way? Can you envision a way that you can utiliz the energy of these powerful feelings into a more harmonious and helpful manner?
Keywords: celtic pagan gods and goddesses filipino gods and goddesses greek mythology gods and goddesses names greek gods and goddesses pictures ancient gods and goddesses israel regardie magick circle monas hieroglyphica apollonius of tyana israel regardie what is alchemy the enochian
Irish goddess of death on the battlefield, she would swoop in crow or raven form after battles to claim her prizes. She was both feared and revered, and today still is. Not accepting her love is not a good idea. When one such man, a hero, did so, he then went so far as to wound her in anger. Needless to say Morrigan cawed happily on his dead shoulder whence he was slain in battle.
Today newagers, pagans and witches alike seek her help in many venues. She is a skilled warrior and can help win in battles. So many enlisted pagans now serving our country feel safe with her protection. She seems very fond of witches or anyone who researches funerary arts.
Remember the people of Ireland would be related however distant to Germans and French (all three bloodlines were at one time part of a larger single entity) so she may very well be an ancestral goddess for you.
Keywords: gods goddesses earth body goddess kali celtic faeries deities witches zeus king gods greek ether black death 16th 17th centuries witchcraft related paganism curse someone learn voodoo magic stores evil voodoo
TONANTZIN (pronounced toe-NAWN-tseen) is the Aztec Goddess of motherhood and the moon. She is the embodiment of the feminine principle, and has been syncretized to Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is called by such names as LITTLE MOTHER, MOTHER OF THE CORN, HONORED GRANDMOTHER, GODDESS OF SUSTENANCE, and OUR BELOVED MOTHER.
Keywords: egyptian sun god ra greek king of the gods name of greek gods and goddesses all greek gods and goddesses names greek gods and goddesses images shaman tarot deck black venus astral traveling tarot readings astral travel to other planets tarot decks online
"MAIA", THE "GREEK GODDESS" OF SPRING AND REBIRTH; SHE IS THE SHY AND GENTLE GODDESS WHO BRINGS ABOUT THE SEASONAL WARMING OF THE EARTH, THE PATRON OF MOTHERS AND NURSES, TO WHOM SACRIFICES WERE MADE TO ENSURE THE GROWTH OF CROPS. HER NAME MEANS "T"HE MAKER". EVERY SPRING THIS GODDESS IS BELIEVED TO MAKE THE GRASS AND FLOWERS GROW AGAIN. HER NAME IS THE ORIGIN OF THE MONTH," MAY." HER TRADITIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION IS MAY 1ST. ON THIS DAY, MEN AND WOMEN DRESS IN GREEN CLOTHING AND DANCE ABOUT THE "MAYPOLE" TO WELCOME THE SPRING.
"MAIA" WAS THE ELDEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL OF THE "PLEIADES", THE SEVEN DAUGHTERS OF "ATLAS "AND THE "OCEANID, PLEIONE."A SHY AND SOLITARY GODDESS, SHE LIVES ALONE IN A CAVE ON "MT. CYLLENE" IN ARCADIA. SOME STORIES SAY SHE SCORNED MARRIAGE, PREFERRING TO BE FREE, WHICH HINTS AT HER ANCIENT, PRE-PATRIARCHAL ORIGINS. "MAIA "WAS THE MOTHER OF "HERMES", ALSO A SKILLED MAGICIAN AND MESSENGER OF THE GODS. THE GREEKS KNEW HER HAS THE "GRANDMOTHER OF MAGIC."
ON THE NEXT CLEAR NIGHT, TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK INTO THE NIGHT SKY AND YOU WILL SEE HER. SHE IS THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE "PLEIADES." BE SURE TO ADD SOME SPLASHES OF COLOR TO YOUR HOME WITH FRESH CUT FLOWERS, BOWLS OF FRESH FRUIT AND BRIGHTLY COLORED CANDLES.
"BLESSINGS TO YOU AT THIS MOST SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR."
Keywords: earth gods and goddesses roman gods goddess ancient greeks gods and goddesses romans god and goddesses roman gods and goddesses list greek goddess list magic rituals freemasons speeches aleister crowley barbara bush stone mason london hidden masonic symbols libri of aleister crowley masons lodge
