Spiritual Significance of Full Moon

The full moon is the lunar phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth's perspective. The full moon occurs roughly once a month. Historically, there has been a perceived association between the moon and human biology and behavior that can be traced back to at least Roman times. The word "lunatic" comes from the Roman moon goddess "Luna". In ancient Greece and Rome, philosophers posited that the water in the brain might be subject to the same kind of tidal motions as the sea, creating a wave of strange behavior whenever the moon was particularly full or large in the sky. On a symbolic level, the Sun represents spirit. The Moon represents the physical as well as the emotional body. The full Moon is a time to be receptive, to take the light and awareness of spirit into your emotional and physical body.

In ancient indigenous cultures, the moon has always held a special place and was worshipped for its rhythms of life and the universe. In Native American cultures, the moon is often referred to as ‘grandmother moon‘, emphasizing its deeply feminine nature. The moon dance is an ancient indigenous practice of Native Americans that comes in addition to the sun dance. Ceremonies and rituals include cleansing the energy by burning sage, making music, singing and dancing in sacred circles looking at the moon and burning and releasing what does not serve anymore, physically and emotionally.

The Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Vietnam, as well as by overseas Chinese and Vietnamese communities. According to Chinese history, have celebrated the harvest during the autumn full moon since the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). An important part of the festival celebration is Moon worship Offerings are also made to a more well-known lunar deity, Chang'e, known as the Moon Goddess of Immortality.

In Hindu, the full moon day is called ‘Purnima‘ (Sanskrit), is associated with birth, rebirth, creation and manifestation. It is consider the auspicious day for a new beginning, a fresh start or clean states which promising prosperity and happiness. Therefore, it is celebrated with a strict hast from sunrise to sunset and praying to the presiding deity, Lord Vishnu. After the whole day of fasting, praying and reflecting, they take a dip in the river and consume some light food at dusk.

Every full moon day is an auspicious day for Buddhists, but the most important of all is the day of the full moon in May (Vesak or Buddha Purnima), because three major events in the life of the Gautama Buddha took place on this day. The Buddha was born on a full moon day. His renunciation took place on a full moon day. His Enlightenment, the delivery of His first sermon, His passing away into Nibbana and many other important events associated with His life-span of eighty years, occurred on full moon days.

The moon is one of the “great lights” that God made on the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:14–18). Full moons are mentioned in a few places in Scripture, but not in ways that mark any particular significance. New moons marked the beginning of months in the lunar-based Hebrew calendar and also signified when the Israelites were to bring sacrifices to the Lord (Numbers 10:10; 28:11). Psalm 81:3 alludes to feasts of celebration held “when the moon is full.” The prophet Joel foretold that the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31; cf. Revelation 6:12). Isaiah 30:26 speaks of an unnaturally bright moon that will play a part when the Day of the Lord comes.

Al-Qamar, meaning "moon" in Arabic, is an important title for surah 54 in Quran. The first verse is traditionally thought to refer to a miracle performed by the prophet Muhammad in the Meccan phase. The White Days or Ayyam al-Beed, are specific days of each Islamic month; they are holy days according to prophet Muhammad. These days are the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month in the Islamic calendar. They are called the white days because of the colour of the full moon on these days. The moon becomes very white and can be seen by the naked eye. During this three days, the most importance practice are fasting and I’tikaf (seclusion or retreat) are recommended voluntary act of worship.

As a human being, our physical body also influence by lunar cycle. Full moon sometimes also can influence our emotion. All spiritual tradition also shows the important of full moon for our spiritual journey, now it is up to us how to use this moment.