• Hoi An moon ceremonies
• Chinese paper lanterns
• Shamans
• Fire and music full moon ceremonies
• Bali
• Full moon ceremony kit
• Zither music
• Play piñata

Full Moon Ceremonies

For millennia, people have romanticized the moon and all its romantic and mystical powers. Problem is, thanks to modern miracles like neon signs and headlights, these days, come nightfall, it can be hard to actually see the darn thing. In some places, however, people gather not just to look at the full moon - they gather to celebrate its light and mystery.

One of the most extensive full moon ceremonies takes place monthly in the medieval port city of Hoi An, Vietnam. On the night of the full moon, electric lights are turned off all around the city, and vehicular traffic is prohibited. The bright light of the moon supplies quite a bit of light, but locals supplement it by lining boats with candles and putting multicolored Chinese paper lanterns in every window. The lanterns are also released onto the water to create a magical river
of light.

It's downright idyllic: locals even dress in costume and walk around reciting poetry, singing and playing zithers. . . all this in the dark! (Well, almost dark.) Children get in on the fun too with a game similar to piñata that involves putting on blindfolds and trying to hit (and break) a piece of pottery hung from
a string.

Outside of Vietnam, moon ceremonies are often spiritual events that allow for a moment of introspection. Shamans - spiritual leaders - sometimes incorporate fire and music into their moon ceremonies. In Bali, flowers and incense are brought to Hindu shrines where priests perform blessings to bring prosperity.

But all you really need for one of these ceremonies is, well, the moon! That, a clear sky, and maybe a kit that can help guide your backyard ceremony - this one comes with a bell, incense and quartz (and a booklet to clue you into what to do with all this stuff). For a Vietnamese twist, get some zither music and a piñata.

So what will happen when you conduct your full moon ritual? Well, if we told you, it wouldn't be magic.

 

Posted on January 30, 2006