The Hindu Balinese people refer to the full moon as Purnama. This sacred day occurs every 29-30 days when the earth orbits between the sun and the moon. The Balinese believe that on this day, all blessings and abundances from the universe come through all 11 directions: the cardinal directions, intercardinal directions, above, below, and center. Knowing this spiritual shift is happening, the Balinese celebrate Purnama with offerings and ceremonies.
The moon embodies the feminine energy of the universe and guides our feminine power. The flow of our emotions is often strongly connected with the moon’s phase. The moon is also an important part of Kala Rau’s Balinese mythology. The story began when the Gods and the Kalas (the scary-looking, evil-spirited, monstrous beings) were churning off Mount Mandara Giri and the sea of Ksirarnawa to find the Tirta Amertha (the sacred elixir of immortality). After the long process, the treasures and the deities who guard the Tirta Amertha started appearing individually. The last was Tirta Amertha itself. The Gods knew that the evil-spirited Kalas should not get the blessing of Tirta Amertha, otherwise, it would bring great disharmony to the universe’s balance by using the power abusively to their desires.
Aware of that, Kala Rau transformed itself into one of the Gods to get the blessings of Tirta Amertha. As Kala Rau receiving the blessing by drinking the Tirta Amertha, Sang Hyang Chandra the Moon God, and Sang Hyang Surya the Sun God, noticed the disguise and quickly notified the Lord Wisnu. The Lord Wisnu was furious and released his sacred weapon – Chakra – that went to separate Kala Rau’s head from his body, ending his life instantly. However, the Tirta Amertha has gotten to Kala Rau’s neck which blessed him with immortality from the head to the neck. Kala Rau now, a scary being with just a head, is believed to be still chasing the moon and the sun.
According to the Balinese, the phenomenon of a sun/moon eclipse occurs when the Kala Rau catches and ” swallows” the sun/moon. Even though it will eventually pass, they will still make noise from anything to prevent the eclipse from happening.
What is the significance of the Full Moon to the Balinese?
Purnama itself is the day that we dedicate to worship the God’s manifestation as Sang Hyang Candra, the Moon God for spiritual enlightenment and prosperity given to all beings in the universe. It is when all forms of blessings are pouring down. Thus, it truly is a powerful day to manifest and transform.
What does the Full Moon celebration look like for the Balinese?
Ceremonies with ritual. Mostly, the women will be busy making offerings to the Gods, divine spirits, and ancestors. The offerings made on this day will include simple daily canang sari flower offerings as well as fruits and cakes.
The Full Moon Ritual?
The spiritual shift is happening on this day. The wisdom of Sang Hyang Chandra invites us to heighten the energetical frequency to be aligned with the universe as the blessings flow abundantly.
To receive good energy, the same frequency is required. The energy must be cleansed from any impurities and negative attachments. Thus, most Balinese begin with a Holy Water Cleansing and Purification Ceremony at the Holy Water Temples. This will help to purify the spiritual energy within each individual and, hence, easily connect them to the higher dimensions.
Where Is the Ceremony Happening?
Once the offerings are made, after the cleansing and purification ceremony, in the late afternoon before dark, they will go to their family temple to begin the actual celebration itself. Everybody will dress up in the Balinese Temple attire for the ceremony.
A glass of Holy Water will be placed on each temple shrine at the family temple, followed by the offerings of fruits topped with Canang Sari. The offerings will also be placed in some areas inside the house: by the doors, in the kitchen, on the books, by the entrance of the house, and the entrance of the family compound, etc. This activity is mostly done by the Moms and the women.
The Holy Water for blessings will also be prepared separately along with the Bija (the rice) at the family temple. After the prayers are done, the Holy Water and Bija will be distributed.
At Pura Khayangan Tiga each village in Bali will also be busy. Pura Khayangan Tiga is the 3 temples located separately where God’s manifestation as Brahma, Wisnu, and Siwa is worshipped. The ceremony is led by the Priest/Priestess of each temple.
The ceremony at the family temple will feel more private, while at Pura Khayangan Tiga will feel more public.
The Shang Hyang Candra provides His blessings abundantly on this day. The invitation is there to awaken the spiritual energy within each of us. If you choose to dedicate this day not only to heighten your energy level but also to heal and manifest, there are a few suggestions that you may try.
1. Cleansing and Purification
As mentioned above, the Balinese will go to the Holy Water Temples to do the Melukat Ceremony to cleanse any impurities in the body, mind, and soul.
If your culture/belief recognizes the same ritual, you may do so.
Otherwise, do full cleansing using the water element from the head to the toes with the intention of cleansing and purification. Not just simply taking a shower.
2. Reconnect
Each of us is familiar with the term of energy. It’s something that we feel rather than we see. The flow of positive energy filled us with a sense of calmness, peacefulness, and contentment. This is the state that we need, to enter the higher dimension. For example, being in nature among trees or by a body of water, some of us will feel a positive stream of energy that brings us deeper into our being and higher in our awareness. Or the corner of our house where we usually meditate, will provide a higher energy level compared to any other parts of the house.
3. Go Within
The only way to go higher in vibration is to actually go within. What a perfect moment to meditate! Create a perfect, warm, and cozy atmosphere, light your candle or favorite incense, place a glass of drinking water near you, play your favorite meditative playlist, relax, close your eyes, and begin your journey inward.
In the beginning, the disruptive thoughts seem very challenging. But then all we need to do is to actually bring awareness to go past the thoughts, past the fears, uncertainty, worry, and anxiety entering your inner realm deep within. The inner realm is the realm where you feel relaxed, deeply connected, calm, and at peace.
Meditate upon the light of the moon. Visualize yourself receiving the abundance of blessings from the Moon God. Immerse yourself into the energy that enlightens you.
4. Prayers do Work!
Once you are in this perfect flow of energy, where you feel yourself is one with the universe, your hands are in a praying position in front of the heart. Begin with a prayer of gratitude. Be grateful for our lives, health, family, career, etc. Send compassionate prayers to ourselves, our loved ones, and all living beings on earth. Send a peaceful prayer to our ancestors for continuously guiding us in this lifetime.
5. Blessing
A glass of water that is near you during the meditation, now put on your hands. And let your hands be around the glass. Concentrate on the love and compassionate energy that comes from your heart that continues to flow to the water that is in the glass. As you feel ready to receive, drink the water slowly. Take your time to feel the rejuvenating and blissful energy flowing down your throat. Not only the body has been blessed but the mind has also been nourished. The soul is reunited.
Pause to let your whole being totally receive the spiritual energy flowing to you. Let your emotions be happiness, contentment, forgiveness, compassion. Let you be filled with blessings and abundance.
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