The Moon has played a predominant role in many societies and ancient cultures throughout history. Her energy is equally powerful to that of her more overt brother, the Sun, yet she works in mysterious and magical ways. To the Egyptians she was a symbol of rejuvenation, cyclical renewal, fertility, and growth. The Ancient Egyptians commonly referred to the Moon and the Sun as "the two lights" and interpreted these lights as the eyes of the sky god, Horus. The left eye representing the Moon and the right eye representing the Sun, while the cycles of the Moon also relating to his phases of life. The most predominant myth of the Moon relates its cycles to the battle between Horus and Seth over the inheritance of Osiris. The moment of the Full Moon was equated with the adult Horus declaring his true voice and joy, in victory over Seth, as he assumes control of the sky rejuvenated.
The Egyptian Lunar Calendar is the most consistently followed calendar throughout the dynastic times. It determined most regional festivals for the temples and marked periods for making offerings at tombs. While lunar energy is viewed as feminine energy by the Egyptian culture (and in general), the phases of the Moon are uniquely embodied in the story of Osiris; a deity and important lunar god closely associated with the different faces of the Moon. His resurrection was recognized in the lunar cycles, his body was equated with the Moon, and his dismembered body parts represented the days of the waning Moon. In other areas of Egypt, his entire life cycle is related to the lunar cycle, from conception and birth to murder, dismemberment, and resurrection. Specifically, his dismemberment is mourned during the dark period before the next New Moon, his reappearance celebrated at New Moon, and his restoration commemorated with the Full Moon.
Another god associated with the Moon is the baboon and ibis god, Thoth. Thoth, who restores the eye of Osiris, is the wisest of the Egyptian gods and is known as the god of the Moon, magic, and writing. It is thought that the ibis has a crescent shaped beak, which creates its link to the Moon. The magical powers of Thoth were so great that the Egyptians had tales of a sacred "Book of Thoth" that if read, was believed to allow one to become the most powerful magician in the world.
Hence, the Moon has great significance and ties with the Egyptians. When we connect with the powerful energy of Egypt and its sacred temples and sites during the influences surrounding, and on the time of, the Full Moon, we receive great support for openings and anchoring on a personal and collective level. The symbolism of commemorating the restoration of Osiris, the true voice of Horus, and the magic of Thoth on the Full Moon, directly mirrors our own personal journeys to wholeness and joy.
We come into the journey of life at different phases, individual to each, looking to integrate wholeness and get in touch with our inner truths. And as we make the journey, one by one we piece together our own parts and open to a wider, more expansive experience. So that by the time we reach the Full Moon of each phase of our lives, we conclude our journey; the bringing together of those parts symbolically resembling our own restoration. In honoring the energy of the Full Moon and the ancient Egyptian commemoration of Osiris, we honor ourselves and the wholeness of our being, as everything is but a mirror of our own experience.
The lunar orb phases represent symbolic perfection of our Universal connection. The New Moon introduces enterprising beginnings and enhances the growth of new endeavors. It also represents the planting of physical "seeds" in the womb of time, which will come to fruition at the Full Moon - a time when the body is inhabited by the spirit and illumination takes place.
Tania Marie is a Visionary Artist & Reiki Master Teacher leading Integrative, Sacred Journeys & Workshops, residing in Incline Village, NV. For more information about her work and services please visit http://www.taniamarie.com or call (775) 343-9244. Treatments & classes available by distance, by request in your area, or at Reno & Tahoe locations. Sacred Journey to Egypt 12/3-12/13/08.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tania_Marie
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment