Feast of the Moon: October 2009 Archives

Image by spacepleb via Flickr

Every culture has its festival that celebrates the dead, honored ancestors, and the spirits that dwell in the afterlife. In Japan, there is the Bon Festival. In Korea, there is Chuseok. In China, there is the Qingming Festival. In Nepal, there is Gaijatra. To Pagans, Samhain is that holiday. The Asatruar honor the dead in two holidays: Walpurgis Night and the Feast of the Einherjar. In Western society, All Saints Day and All Souls Day occur together, and are surrounded and expanded upon by Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. Even players of World of Warcraft celebrate Hallow's End.

In our faith, the Feast of the Moon celebrates our honored dead, our ancestors, and all those who have passed on. We celebrate this festival from October 31 through November 2. Traditionally, according to the Calendar of Harptos, the Feast of the Moon would be celebrated on November 30, and would be celebrated by all faiths. In the future, if the other Gods of Faerûn gain a following in this world, our celebration may return to the traditional date, but for now, we choose to celebrate at a time when, due to the combined celebrations of millions of others, this world is closest to the other side, and the dead can most easily be honored.

As a new religion, we have not accumulated the generations of tradition that guide older religions in the celebration of this (and other) holidays, but we do have guidelines for celebration that give us a good place to start.

• In our faith, the most important part of this celebration is the relating of the stories of our dead. Each family tells the stories of their loved ones who have passed on, as well as stories of any notable ancestors. Our priests relate the stories of any members of their congregations who have died in the last year, who do not have family members to tell their stories for them.
• Another practice is visiting the graves of the dead, to ritually remember them with offerings, stories, conversation, and picnics. A visit to the grave during this festival is a solemn obligation.
• This is the holiday at which conversations with the dead occur. Priests will speak with those on the other side who can offer insight into difficulties that their congregation may be facing, and will help any members of the congregation who do not know how to communicate with the dead.

Image via Wikipedia

We don't have any objections to the usual practices of Halloween. In fact, I personally enjoy giving out treats when the Trick-or-Treat mobs come to my door, and I love decorating my house in its Halloween best. And as for horror movies? Don't let me get started on those! Celebrating along with the rest of the world is a good way to get in the spirit of the holiday. Share the good times with your family and friends, and give to those around you, whether it's by giving out candy at your door, giving something extra to your favorite charity, or going to the cemetery to place flowers on the graves of Revolutionary War veterans.

Whatever you do to prepare for the holiday, remember that the dead deserve your honor, and that the honor you give them reflects upon your own. The Feast of the Moon is a time to reflect and reconnect with your past, with those who made the world what it is now. It's a time for families to come together, the living and the dead, and rediscover their unity. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the festival, and you will find that it stays with you into the coming year.