Harvest Moon
By Nicole Klimper
The many powerful aspects of this auspicious full moon brought an increased awareness and appreciation for her presence. Few could escape the allure of this phenomenal coinciding of lunar wonder manifesting as Harvest, Super, Full Eclipse, Blood Moon. We Moon Mothers gathered on the beach to experience the spectacular sunset and magical moonrise.
Our spirits lifted greeting one another and marveling at the blessing of perfect weather at our sandy, sacred ceremonial grounds. The conch was blown and our circled gathered, aglow with the golden hue of the setting sun. Commencing ritual, we called in the seven directions and invited our chosen loved ones to join us in spirit. As the sun bestowed upon us the day’s final light, we shared a wealth of joyful singing, wishes and gifts with the women who chose to be born in the months of August and September.
Honored on this full moon was Roman Goddess Vesta (or Hestia), Goddess of the Vestal Virgins, keeper of the hearth, and symbol of domestic tranquility. As daylight grows shorter, this time of year finds us tending and warming our homes, stoking fires in anticipation of visiting loved ones who will seek our guidance, just as Vesta kept the sacred hearth alight and guided the Vestal Virgins. We began our honoring of Vesta with a moving meditation practice called the “Blind Walk”. Paired together, eyes closed, using only the guiding words and embrace of our fellow Moon Mother, we were each lead to our sand dollar prize. To inner grains of sand we attached our worries, fears and encumbrances and freed them from hearts by shattering the sand dollar and casting it all to the sea.
Liberated and nourished by the meditation we gathered around the fire for Circle Speak, sharing gifts of wisdom and poetry, each of us feeding the flames of the hearth with our wooden “wisdom wands”. Always so beautifully diverse in its array of maidens, mothers, and crones, our circle was abundant with a ripe harvest of insight and inspiration. We gleaned timeless quotes, artfully crafted verse and life learned lessons that resonated in our hearts as the moon glow began to shine atop the bluff.
Our voices rang into the night as we closed our circle in song. We heartily and excitedly called down the unique full moon just as her eclipse began to peak, gracing us with her presence in her rare and mystical shade of rosy red.
The moon is most happy
When it is full.
And the sun always looks
Like a perfectly minted gold coin
That was just polished
And placed in flight
By God’s playful Kiss.
And so many varieties of fruit
Hang plump and round
From branches that seem like Sculptor’s hands.
I see the curve of a pregnant belly
Shaped by the soul within,
And the Earth itself,
And the planets and the Spheres-
I have gotten the hint:
There is something about circles
The Beloved likes.
Hafiz,
Within the Circle of a Perfect One
There is an Infinite Community
Of Light.
~Hafiz
Moon Mothers of Half Moon Bay 