In the previous months, we have dedicated our meditations to a different Goddess or God, per week, due to the high-level intensity we have been experiencing. We did this so that there could be a balance, within the world, the feminine and masculine energy. In this next year, we are going to devote our meditations to a specific Goddess/God for each month.  This will allow us to concentrate more of our intentions on the divine masculine and feminine within ourselves.

January is described as the Full Moon month. In China, January honors the Goddess “Ch’ang-O”. She is portrayed as the Protector of Children, Goddess of the Bedchamber, beautiful Goddess of the Moon and the younger sister of the Water Spirit. Ch’ang-O’s husband is portrayed as the God of the Sun, the sign of strength. Ch’ang-O and her husband’s story is truly an encouraging one for us. Through their lessons, they provide us strength for independence and honoring our truest struggles. 

Ch’ang-O lived in fear of her father her entire life and consequently, chose a man to marry that she also feared. Her husband was of high rank, in the military, and was away much of the time. As Ch’ang-O was roaming her lotus garden, out of loneliness, a deliciously, strong fragrance enticed her back to her home. Caught in its spell, she searched every room, every cabinet, every drawer, every trunk and corner until she noticed one spot untouched: a hardly noticeable access door in the ceiling. Reaching inside the access door, Ch’ang-O pulled out a small package wrapped in fine silk. When she opened it, she discovered a small, fine, white cake shaped like a hare. Enchanted by the smell and the watering of her mouth, she placed it on her tongue. Her body began to transform; her inner Self began to shine brighter than her physical body and gained immortality. 

Ch’ang-O’s husband arrived home and was furious with her. He began to chase her, yelling at her, wanting to hurt her. Ch’ang-O ran and ran, frantically, through the garden. But then, through her fear, she discovered that she could fly. Ch’ang-O flew to the sky until she reached the Moon. On the moon, she found no life or warmth, except for an exquisite, small forest of cinnamon trees. Here she made her new home. She noticed she rather enjoyed the silence and aloneness, on her Moon, and embraced the beauty of stillness. She came in to her own power with no expectations of her husband to take care of all her needs. 

Her husband, in this time of aloneness and meditation, realized Ch’ang-O’s true destiny as well as his own.  She to be the Goddess of the Moon, and he to be the God of the Sun. Ch’ang-O’s husband also discovered his Inner Self and was granted immortality too. When he visited Ch’ang-O on the Moon, Ch’ang-O was afraid at first, but he approached her with such strength. He told her he knew that this was her destiny and that he is also fulfilling his destiny. He built her a palace, out of cinnamon bark and precious stone, and is said to visit her on the 15th of every month or when the moon is full.

The purpose of Ch’ang-O, and her husband, is for us to have the female and male balanced, within us. The light inside, is the masculine, to give us the strength to move forward and the courage we need to create the necessary changes to fulfill our destiny in this world. Connecting to the Moon Goddess’s energy, we also see that we are supported by the male energy, the Sun God.  Ch’ang-O represents the source of yin and her husband symbolizes the source of yang. 

With this Goddess, she brings about protecting the feminine that has so long been abused. Although as feminine beings, we created this unsettled life, in the world, because we surrendered to our insecurities and believed that the masculine should take care of our every need and make us whole. With us embracing the balance of Ch’ang-O’s energy, we can begin to manifest the knowledge that we are beings that are already whole and supported by the Universe. We should know that fear; abuse and lack do not exist in this realm of Ch’ang-O’s protection, purification and balance.

As Mercury is retrograding, on January 11th, as well as the Full Moon, a higher level of intensity, under the sign of Aquarius, begins. We will concentrate our meditation practice to work with this balance and connecting with our Human being. We will move into an energy that is becoming more philanthropist-like as well as understanding our deepest sensitivity. This is a time for us to stop denying what is so deep with-in, as this high level energy will force us to work through our challenges and our deepest secrets. In meeting our challenges face-to-face, (as Ch’ang-O faced her husband), we will begin to gain clarity of our true life purpose and destiny. This will in turn, assist us in gaining strength to deal with our past issues and no longer live as a “victim”. As the planetary changes happen and after the Sun Eclipse on January 26th, we will have a time breathe easy and rest for a while. This will signify our true beginning. 

Alter Preparation: You can find a statue or use the picture provided of Ch’ang-O or a similar energy like Kuan Yin. One white candle. Pearls and/or Moon Stone. A small amount of white salt in a bowl. A bowl of white liquid (such as coconut milk or milk mixed with water.) Cinnamon Bark or Oil.  A small bell.

After preparing the alter, sit in a meditative pose comfortable for you. 

Breathe in and out, deeply, three times and repeat the following Affirmation 108 times. (The reason for 108 times – it is an auspicious number from ancient times and it is believed that it will create a true manifestation of your heart’s desire.) 

As you repeat the Affirmation, visualize yourself becoming the Moon Goddess

 

The Goddess of the Moon lives within my Soul

To guide me and take me out of the pain of darkness.

Through this purification, I spread wisdom, freedom, and protection

To all living beings.

Let my inner Moonlight shine.

Ring the bell and meditate for a few more minutes on the Moon Goddess.