The significance of the full moon in spiritual practice

Today appears to be a full moon day, which is considered a good time to practice spiritual exercises and meditation in various religious traditions.

I had found this article by spiritual master Choa Kok Sui ( founder of Modern Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga), which similarly cites the benefits of meditation and spiritual practice during the full moon.

The Significance of Full Moon | The Pranic Healers

 

We would always do a Ryaku Fusatsu ceremony on a full moon; a repentance ritual and renewal of our vows. I always found it very powerful, and a definite aid to my practice.

All evil deeds committed by me since time immemorial,
Arising from ignorance, greed, and hatred,
Stemming from thought, word, and deed,
I vow to atone for them all.

 

Christians base a lot of their practices or holidays, especially the most important one, the basis of their religion, on a full moon. The first full moon of spring is when Christians, including Roman Catholics, celebrate the resurrection of the God Jesus Christ (Easter). Also based on the Easter holiday is the celebration of Jesus arriving in Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is celebrated a week before and begins what is called Holy Week for them. Holy Week encompasses Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday with two other celebrations in between. Maundy Thursday is when Jesus had the "Last Supper" and washed the feet of his followers. Good Friday is the day Jesus dies from the crucifixion or the way the Romans did the death penalty. Another celebration based on when Easter occurs is Ash Wednesday. It is 46 days prior to Easter thus also based on the first full moon of spring. Following Easter is the Ascension or the leaving of Jesus from earth to join their main God in Heaven. This is celebrated 40 days after Easter. That's quite a few major spiritual practices for Christians and Roman Catholics. There are more lesser known practices they engaging in that revolves around the first full moon of spring.

 

A few years ago, there was an interest on my part in the moon in relation to computer programming. The difficulty with the moon is the constant fluctuation. They are calculable with a complex formula. These formulas already exist in different computer languages.

The calculations for the full moon or the current illumination did not interest me. The full moon is much too impersonal in my opinion. Also the mysticism behind full moon and new moon is quite worn out. It takes a lot of imagination to fall for this mysticism. The tide has more effect than this mysticism.

Much more personal and also a challenge in the computer programming is the birth moon. So the cycle and the illumination of the moon on the day of birth. This repeats itself every ~29-30 days. Calculating the repetitions to the day, hour and minute was a welcome challenge.

With the moon birthdays listing the moon age (biblic age) will be available. Furthermore its also a nice birthday gift (cost free).

Since there is no advertising of the website from my side, the interest is rather very low. Let's hope that linking the website here will be allowed. Because of this uncertainty, only the domain name is posted. Possibly the PDF function don't work on all devices.

bdaymoon.com

 

i like the full moon. i don't attach any other particular significance to it. though i can see how some people and traditions and beliefs might.
mostly in relation to thing like planting and harvesting. however much influence tidal forces, et al, might have on such things, they're at leas mostly harmless.

 

The first (antic) scientist research of the moon was between full moon and full moon. Later, it changes to between new moon and new moon, because a new moon is simpler to detect. Under consideration of the light pollution, a new moon in the outback has more mystique — the darkness. Otherwise, its only a illumination, two times in one cycle.

because it seems to be no problem to link private websites here: BIRTHDAY MOON CALCULATOR

 

The full moon for this month May is on fifth, tomorrow.

The lunar calendar is used in Islam, and importance is attached to the new moon as well as the full moon.

The Blessings of the Lunar Calendar - IslamOnline

 

The full moon as well as all other moon phases affect the human and other species of life here on earth. The cycle from the beginning of a moon phases to the beginning of the same phase again is measured by approximately 29.5 earth revolutions. It does vary and is not a consistent 29.5 day cycle and a full moon does not affect earth creatures the same each cycle. Animals are more active a night when under a full moon. Even humans are more alert and active due to the effects of the full moon.

At the other end of the spectrum the absence of a full moon or the new moon is the basis for the beginning of many calendar months. An example of this is the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Also many peoples were scared and confused by a solar eclipse and worshipped the event as divine intervention. Know that a solar eclipse will only happen with a new moon and at no other time in a phase cycle. If you have never been under a total solar eclipse, the complete covering of the sun by the moon, it is a moving experience albeit a brief moment in time.

There are those who feel the moon cycle, including the position of the full moon, in relation to other star and planet positioning truly affects their lives. This, called astrology and horoscopes, is used as a prediction of future life events and treated by some as a spiritual practice. Based on ones time of birth, the position of planets, stars or constellations, and the moon, it is believed ones future can be predicted and this has become a spiritual practice for many.

 

Back in my younger days, when we were getting hyper, my mother always blamed the full moon.
One day when my friend went missing, we found him in the middle of the road sitting in a puddle, I never worked out the reason why.

I believe that their are many things in life that we have yet to fully understand.

 

I find this very fascinating, associating the moon with detoxification/purification in some way. I know that many religions associate this act with fire ("crucibles" and "cleansing fires" are a big part of Christian imagery, and fire in general with Zoroastrianism). I'm curious as to why the New Moon is associated with detoxification specifically? Does it have to do with the absence of life equaling the absence of corrupting influences, or ego, or distractions?

 

The full moon for this month is today on June 3.

The June 2023 full moon is commonly referred to as the "Strawberry Moon" due to its association with the blooming of strawberry plants in Native American traditions.

The days of the new moon and full moon are also considered to be important in Wicca. I found these Wiccan articles informative and useful.

new and full moons

Full and New Moon Rituals—Intention Setting and Actualization

New moon rituals seems to be focused on setting intentions one wishes to manifest, while full moon rituals are focused on appreciation for personal accomplishments as well as gratitude to the Divine or nature for blessings and providence since the last full moon.

 

I find the potential influence of the moon on us really quite fascinating. I do find that I sleep less soundly the night just before and sometimes during the full moon and I have talked to others who have similar experiences.

 

It is new. As in a beginning of a cycle. What do most people do first thing in the morning? They bathe. Either a full shower or at least a face wash. Plus we brush our teeth. This is the beginning of our daily cycle. A new moon is the beginning of a monthly cycle which relates to the cleansing of the mind and spirit. There are corrupting influences, egos, or distractions other than ridding them from your body and mind and starting over fresh.

 

Another moon based religion is Islam. The principle of Ramadan, a Muslim religious event, is a period of fasting and spiritual growth. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan falls on a different date every year, due to the cycles of the moon. Following that Eid al-Fitr begins which is the festival of the breaking of the fast. Like the beginning of Ramadan, Eid begins with the first sighting of the new moon.

Before mankind discovered the solar system and the timing of the planets, including Earth, the only time piece there was was the moon and how it changed every 28 days or so. Along with sunrise to sunset the moon dictated the longer time period and man based existence, celebrations, planting, harvesting, even hunting, on the moon phases.

 

The full moon for this month is today on July 3. It is called as a Buck moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time.

In Hinduism, there is a religious ritual of fasting on Ekadashi, which is the eleventh lunar day between the new moon and full moon. It is believed that if you fast on Ekadashi and then on Full Moon day, you will not have any illnesses.

Fasting during this time is said to purify the body of accumulated toxins. This is also considered to be a good time for spiritual practices.

Discover the Why and How of Ekadashi Fasting | Following Sri Sri - Connecting Hearts Globally

 

There will be two full moons in August 2023. The first is on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, and the second full moon will be on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

The most common name for the August Full Moon is the Sturgeon Moon. As with other full moon names, it’s inspired by nature and refers to the high numbers of sturgeon caught in high numbers in North America’s Great Lakes.

The Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters are celebrated during this time period of the full moon, and is on August 30, the occasion of the second full moon.

In Judaism, the new moon and full moon are celebrated by the Hebrews.

Rosh Chodesh - Wikipedia

 

Thanks for sharing