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?
