The Moon is My Petronus

At this stage in my life, I am completely drawn to the moon.

In case anyone is concerned, let me assure you that I’m not a werewolf.

The moon does, however, suddenly seem to be my Petronus (Harry Potter reference). It just keeps showing up lately in my daily life as a symbol,  so I’m paying attention to it.

All of this is likely on my mind because my summer was book-ended with gorgeous, stunning, natural phenomena involving the moon. And these are the kinds of gorgeous, stunning, natural phenomena you never forget.

My summer started with a trip to North Topsail Beach in North Carolina. For a whole week, while staying with our family in a beach house, we lived on a Horizon. That was a real gift. We saw some memorable sunrises and sunsets.

But one evening, I saw something unlike anything I’ve ever seen before: I saw a Moonrise over that same Horizon. This was a red, full moon, made enormous by the visual contrast of the ocean. It grabbed my attention and absolutely mesmerized me. I left the deck of the house because I felt compelled to stand right where the ocean and sand met. I had to watch this moon rise into the sky. Somewhere within myself, I was aware that the moon and the ocean have both long been viewed as feminine, cultural symbols. I stood there, feeling remarkably empowered and called, as if my spirituality and my life were being summoned in a deeper direction. This was a very special moment.

Then my summer ended with the opportunity to witness a total eclipse of the sun. To see this happen, our family drove to Russellville, Kentucky and waited for hours with a couple hundred people at a local, public library. To bring this home, all I can really say is that during an eclipse, the moment of totality (and the journey toward it) is absolutely magical. The moon completely covers the sun. Meanwhile, a band of gorgeous color is found at the horizon in 360 degrees. I did not even know to expect this aspect. As the moon stands in front of the sun, it appears that the sun is setting in every direction. This is unlike anything I have ever seen in my life.

Ancient cultures could not fully understand what was causing an eclipse (I can barely imagine the terror of not expecting or understanding it!) Yet many of the same cultures made meaning of such an event. Some believed this phenomenon signaled a threat to the Empire.

As I watched this total eclipse happen, I kept thinking about the sacred feminine eclipsing the Empire — a new way of being, relating, sharing, loving, dreaming. A move away from systems that demand power-over. This is not about gender but about a different orientation toward the world and one another.

So the moon keeps calling to me. And I suppose, ultimately, as a symbol, it reminds me that a new way of being is calling me. Do you hear this too?

With That Moon Language (by Hafiz)

Admit something:
Everyone you see, you say to them, “Love me.”
Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops.
Still, though, think about this: this great pull in us to connect.
Why not become the one who lives with a moon in each eye,
that is always saying,
with that sweet moon language,
what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?

This is the first post in a series about feminist spirituality. Feel free to check out the others as well:

The Rise of the Matriarchy
She
Can Our World Experience Post-Traumatic Growth?
Life Finds a Way