Under the Light of the Flower Moon

The moon brightens the night sky with its heavenly glow. For tens of thousands of years, stargazers have admired the moon, stars, and other celestial beings. Patterns—based on the sun and stars, as well as the moon’s phases—were used to delineate seasons and create calendars, some of which are still in use today. The North Star was and still is, used as a guidepost for travelers navigating course to their destinations.

Clearly, celestial objects have had a huge impact on human civilization. In fact, they greatly impact all of life on Earth. According to the Natural History Museum, birds and other migratory animals rely on the moon for navigation, while Barau’s petrels—endangered seabirds—coordinate their migrations so they all arrive at their breeding grounds during a full moon. Corals on the Great Barrier Reef base their mating habits on the lunar cycles, while an ancient gymnosperm creates droplets that sparkle in the moonlight to attract pollinators. The moon itself has the greatest influence on the ocean tides, causing the highest tides during full and new moons. Imagine that! An object 238,900 miles away can exert its gravitational force to affect Earth’s oceans. That is powerful Qi, and the perfect example of the beauty of connection.

Full Flower Moon

May’s full moon, named the Full Flower Moon, will reach peak illumination at 1:36 pm EST on Friday, May 5th. Named for the blooms that arrive in May, the Full Flower Moon has also been dubbed Budding Moon; Hare Moon; Frog Moon; and in China, Dragon Moon. The Dragon is the cultural and spiritual symbol of China, representing good luck, harmony, and power.

Two Additional Celestial Gifts

This month, the full moon coincides with two additional celestial gifts: a meteor shower and a view of Zubenelgenubi, the Alpha star in the Libra constellation. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, which will peak during the overnight hours between May 5 and 6, is debris leftover from the famous Halley’s Comet. Although best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, the meteor shower may be visible from northern regions if viewed close to the horizon line.

Although Zubenelgenubi is 77 light-years away from us on Earth, technology has brought it within reach. To the human eye, it appears as just one star. However, Zubenelgenubi is a multiple star system made up of two stars that follow the same motion. Zubenelgenubi is believed to have been formed about 200 million years ago.

Experience the Power of Qi

While the bright light of the full moon may make it difficult to see the Eta Aquarids and Zubenelgenubi with the naked eye, seeing with the eye is only a very small piece of the picture. At 1:30 pm EST on Friday, May 5, stand outside in silent meditation in our most powerful Qigong posture, The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth. Close your eyes and let your mind go. Breathe in and breathe out. Align yourself with the moon’s energy. Feel the presence of each of these celestial gifts. Maintain this position for 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even longer! The longer you are able to stand, the more benefit you will receive. Read More

See the below video for a visual and explanation of the posture.