Sunday, January 27, 2013

365 Inspirations—27: Full Moons

"For most people, we often marvel at the beauty of a sunrise or the magnificence of a full moon, but it is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the universe that surrounds us."—Richard H. Baker


There is nothing like the experience of suddenly noticing a huge full moon rising. On Friday, after witnessing a beautiful sunset and feeling completely content, I caught a glimpse of the moon rising on my drive back home. It's always breathtaking to see the moon so full suddenly. It's different than watching a sunset that is right before you. Seeing the moonrise is often a complete and utter surprise. On my way back from the beach, instead of following my usually way home, I drove down neighborhood roads and backstreets trying to follow this moon. Every time the moon would get behind a tree or building, I'd try and find a clear view. I ended up at a dead end street and parked to just stare at it for awile. It was so big and bright and it felt like another world.

When the moon is this big, it feels like you can see the details of it and it feels so close.

Many cultures depend on the cycles of the moon and use a lunar calendar, particularly in Asia. In Korea, I learned that a person's birthdate changes every year depending on the lunar calendar. It's not fixed as it is in the West.

Also, the tides ebb and flow with the moon and so many animals and the natural world are tuned into the moon's rhythms.

Sometimes I miss this. We live with so much technology these days and it's easy to lose touch with the natural world, but we can't exist without it. We depend on nature.

I hope that I continue to step outside and take notice more often. I'm happy I got to see the full moon a few days ago. Today is very cloudy and rainy and I'm not sure I'll be able to see it tonight. The picture above was taken on my street. We have lots of very huge Evergreen trees right in my neighborhood in Seattle. That's why Washington is called The Evergreen State. These trees framed the moon nicely the other day. Believe it or not, I took this photo with my cell phone. It captured the moon quite well, I think!

Did you see the full moon recently? Do you like to walk or spend time in the moonlight?

10 comments:

  1. I love the moon. I'm actually considering dedicating my next blog post to the moon as well, for I felt inspired so much by last night's moon. I feel that people do not fully appreciate the beauty of the moon. The sun is beautiful, to be sure, but the moon hold the most beauty to me.

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    1. Yes, the moon holds something very special for me. It's a light in the darkness and last night it filled my bedroom with light. It's a reminder to me that even the dark of winter can be bright!

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  2. Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing your book. I was pleasantly surprised to find, while reading it, that you are a local writer. This book has moved me beyond words. Thank you for taking the leap and publishing.

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    1. Hi Sarah, Thanks for reading my book and so glad you enjoyed it! I hope you will share it with others ^_^! All the best to you!

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  3. There is nothing quite like glimpsing a perfect full moon in the night sky; no matter how I am feeling at that moment, its beauty temporarily makes me forget everything and asks me to simply soak in the moment. One of my favorite full moon moments was glimpsing its rise over the sea before ascending into the sky...

    Thank you for your post, it was a pleasure to encounter a fellow full-moon admirer and read your thoughts about it:)

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    1. Yes, the full moon does do that, doesn't it. It makes us pay attention and come back to this one moment. I love that about the moon. Seeing the moon ascending from the sea to sky must have been quite a sight!

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  4. It's been along time since I took time to look at the moon! Definitely need to soon.

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  5. I love full moons, too, and the way they can light up the darkest night. I appreciate it particularly in the winter. And I love a full moon when there's snow on the ground. Everything glows!

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    1. I love the full moon with snow too! I really wish it would snow soon in Seattle..I've missed not having snow!

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