We kicked off the 2020 Retreat Season a little early this year, celebrating our monthly Ceremonial overnight the first February weekend. Every Ceremonial weekend this year is scheduled around the full moon, starting with Saturday night’s waxed gibbous, commonly known as the February Snow Moon, but also dubbed the Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, Magha Puja, the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival Moon, the Chinese Lantern Festival Moon and the Full Moon of Tu B’Shevat. Reaching its peak at about 2:30 am Chicago time Sunday, this Snow Moon was also a Supermoon, a full moon that occurs during the moon’s closest approach to earth, making the moon appear fuller and brighter. According to my friend and Vedic scholar James Kelleher, this full moon was in Ashlesha Nakshatra. Ashlesha is symbolized by intertwining serpents, the symbol of western medicine. This could symbolize the extra attention the world is now putting on the Wuhan Coronavirus, reflecting its fast-growing nature. Ashlesha’s desire is “the desire to defeat my enemies”, which may also reflect current political or military conflicts.
On the more individual level, Ashlesha is a deeply psychological and introspective Nakshatra. It makes this time perfect for looking at your programs and stories from a detached, non-judgmental perspective. All of us spin a tangled web of stories about ourselves, a web that colors the substratum of emotion producing unconscious narratives and guiding our actions. Our stories bind us to repetitive patterns of actions and emotions, but noticing our story and unraveling our intertwined experience moment by moment releases us from its grip. And with spiritual practice, that’s a recipe for producing unlimited energy, bliss and freedom.
Here’s more on recent visitor Sue Ann’s experience. “I had the privilege of participating in a retreat at South Haven’s Higher Haven this weekend. Paul has created a beautiful, relaxing and comfortable facilities to help absorb the teachings. I believe this land to be sacred and participating in Ceremony helped me come to a new awareness of and insight into my spiritual journey. I especially found the living accommodations so very nice (I can’t stress this enough.. it’s all about the details right ladies!) — the house and studio are just lovely and provide everything for total relaxation and personal reflection. If you feel this location in the Universe is tugging at your heart, my recommendation is to heed the call and allow the teachings offered to your Spirit so you can fine-tune your personal path. One Heart, One Mind, One Voice, One Chanupa – Aho Matakuye O’yasin!