Lunar Traditions & 5 Full Moon Rituals

Lunar Traditions & 5 Full Moon Rituals

Worship of the sun, moon and elements of nature has existed for thousands of years. Whilst humans have generally considered the power of the sun as a symbol of life-giving energy and even god itself, the moon is the feminine counterpart that actually allowed ancient civilisations to measure time and develop rituals. As the moon’s slivers of silvery white have continued to expand and shrink until disappearing entirely, we’ve created celebrations, feasts, fasts and specific traditions according to the moon’s cycle, and full moon rituals exist all over the world.

Indeed, amongst the sprinkling of stars in the night sky, the moon is something we often look to in times of pondering, loneliness or wonderment, and something with many bedtime tales to tell if we’re willing to pause and listen. The moon’s phases were once considered so significant, that the word ‘moonths’ became the precursor to ‘month’. These ‘moonths’ enabled us to create calendars and think in terms of weeks and months in the future.

Today, our lives tend to revolve around the light of laptop and phone screens instead of the glow of the moon, but understanding the reverence and awe we once gave to the moon can help us remember what its like to live more in alignment with nature, and reconnect to ancient rituals so full of wisdom and sacred meaning. What do the Hindu deities, pagan goddesses and the Egyptian moon god symbolise, and how can they help us feel more at one with the universe?

Lunar Deities

Many ancient cultures hold great reverence for the moon, and it seems they definitely stayed up late enough to watch it seemingly move through the sky. The Egyptian moon god Khonsu (also known as Thoth), who’s name means ‘traveller’, also held titles like ‘Pathfinder’ and ‘Defender’ as he was said to guide and protect those who travelled at night, defending against wild animals. In the very same way, the Hindu moon god Chandra is depicted riding a chariot across the sky, often pulled by hundreds of white horses. Indeed, in cultures based in the Arabian deserts or hot climates of the Indian East, travelling from place to place often had to happen at night, away from the intense heat of the sun. Prayers of protection and worship were uttered before travelling under the moon’s light, which provided solace when travelling through unknown lands shrouded in darkness.

The Inuit religion of ‘animism’ (the belief that every living and non-living thing has a spirit) includes the moon god Alignak, said to control the moon, the tides and even earthquakes, whilst Greek moon goddess Artemis is also known as the goddess of ‘the hunt’, indicating that many hunts may have happened at night to help hunters hide from their prey under the cover of darkness. Celtic goddess Cerridwen is closely associated to the full moon, and the keeper of the ‘cauldron of knowledge’, and Polynesian goddess Sina is – much like the Egyptian moon god Khonsu – seen as the protector of those who travel at night.

In today’s world of hyper-busyness and artificial lighting, we tend to forget that all humans before us lived by the lamp of the moon at night time for thousands of years, and stared up at it in wonder and awe. This is most likely why such a significant amount of yoga practices and rituals are dedicated to the moon, the full moon and the ability to connect to its feminine power.

The Subtle Moon Within Us

Our bodies are said to have many layers of both physical and subtle aspects, including the chakras and nadis. You could think of nadis like esoteric veins that carry prana or ‘life force’ around the body. The three most well-known nadis are Sushumna (running along the spine), Pingala (running along the right of the spine and carrying masculine energy), and Ida (carrying feminine energy and running along the left side of the spine.). The masculine and feminine nadis cross over as they wind their way up the spine, and at each crossing point, we find the chakras.

Many pranayama practices such as nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing or ‘channel cleansing breath’), and surya bhedana (sun ‘activating’ breath) work directly with the energy of the nadis. Chandra bhedana (moon ‘activating’ breath) connects to the feminine ida nadi, and involves closing the right nostril, and breathing only through the left nostril. This pranamaya practice is said to cultivate calmness, coolness and more feminine aspects within the subtle body, and an effective way to prepare the body for meditation, yoga nidra or sleep. Also known as the ‘moon’ nadi, or Chandra nadi, the left and most feminine nadi is, according to Swara Yoga: The Tantric Science of Brain Breathing by Swami Muktibodhananda, “associated with the parasympathetic nervous system…. creating a general state of relaxation in the superficial muscles, lowering the outer body temperature. Therefore, it is said that ida is cooling, relaxing and introverting”.

Whether the full moon has you feeling relaxed, calm and cool, or stimulated and ready to celebrate, yogic practices and full moon rituals from other ancient traditions can be a wonderful way to remember what its like to reconnect with the more intuitive, natural and holistic aspects of ourselves. Try these five practices on the next full moon and soak up its lunar glow:

  1. Full Moon Dancing

    Whilst full moon parties are popular in the modern world as a way to gather and celebrate wildly, the tradition of full moon dancing dates back to ancient times. Mexico holds some of the secrets from long ago, found in scriptures which show women dancing under the full moon, praying with the tobacco leaf. These moon dancing circles were continued and expanded to parts of North, Central and South America, led by female elders and including songs sung to the creator, the moon, the earth and the elements. Create your own celebration by gathering friends to dance and speak of the elements of nature they’re grateful for.

  2. Moon Bathing

    Many people bathe and cleanse crystals in the light of the full moon, and our minds can often feel refreshed and renewed after some time spend under the moon’s natural light. Stand outside in the light of the full moon; as you inhale, visualise the moon’s powerful coolness, calmness, and feminine protectivity pouring down upon you, as you exhale, feel your body relax . As another way to ‘bathe’ in the full moon, use this time to run a ritual bath. Ayurvedic wisdom says that the Pitta dosha is most active in the full moon, meaning we may experience more reactivity, anger, irritability, inflamed skin or heightened emotions. To balance and calm the mind and body, run a warm and deep bath, and fill it with rose and calendula petals, your choice of milk, and handful of mineral salt, and lavender and frankincense essential oils.

  3. Creating A Deity Offering

    Choose one of the moon gods or goddesses you most resonate with and create an offering to connect to what they represent. Light a candle for Polynesian goddess Sina to ask for protection, or Celtic goddess Cerridwen who may hold the knowledge you’re looking for.

  4. Chandra Namaskar

    The lunar counterpart to Surya Namaskar, Chandra Namaskar is a more fluid, simple, calming sequence, aiding in unwinding from a busy day. Practice this sequence with the Chandra mantra between each round of the sequence: “Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah  Chandraya Namah”

  5. Chandra Bhedana

    Activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system and prepare for sleep by closing off the right nostril and breathing slowly in and out through the left nostril for five minutes.

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