Secrets of Talismans: Sacrificial Moon Ritual

 Chinese people have always worshipped the moon. The full moon is considered a symbol of "endless fortune" and "happiness and fulfillment." The folk custom of admiring the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival roughly began during the Wei and Jin dynasties. After the Ming and Qing dynasties, on every Mid-Autumn Festival, people would set out wine and seasonal fruits to admire the moon and chat freely.
 
 The Daoist temple performs a sacrifice to the Moon Deity on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival, generally holding the "Sacrificial Moon Court Ritual." This originated from ancient sacrificial moon activities. In ancient times, people conducted "Spring Prayer" activities before sowing in spring to pray for the Earth God to bestow grains. By the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is the harvest season, people not only thanked the Earth God but also thanked the Moon Deity, known as the "Autumn Sacrifice." Because people believed that the abundant harvest of grains could not be separated from the moon's illumination and nourishment. According to the "Book of Rites": "The Son of Heaven worships the sun in spring and the moon in autumn; the sun is worshipped in the morning, and the moon is worshipped in the evening." This means that the Son of Heaven sacrifices to the sun in spring and to the moon in autumn; the sun sacrifice is in the morning, and the moon sacrifice is in the evening. By the Zhou Dynasty, sun sacrifices were conducted in the eastern suburbs on the Start of Spring, Start of Summer, Start of Autumn, and Start of Winter, each with different meanings. Daoist Jiao rituals have a deep connection with early sacrificial moon activities. The "Book of Sui: Treatise on Literature" explains "Jiao" as: "In the night under the stars, setting out wine, dried meat, cakes, pastries, money, and objects, sequentially worshipping the Heavenly Emperor, Taiyi, the Five Planets, and the constellations, writing a document like the ritual of presenting memorials, named as Jiao."
 
 This is an early textual record of Daoist Zhai Jiao activities, a form that has continued to the present day Daoism. Below is an introduction to this sacrificial moon ritual:
 
 Master's opening remarks: "Most loved is the Mid-Autumn moon, with ten thousand rays of clear light. Wind shakes the pines, breaking the moonlight; wind still, the moon is unbroken." Step Void: "Clear shade divides the four seasons, long and short until the third watch. Only for selfless illumination, following the wind to Peng and Ying." Raise: "Miao Guo Su Yue Tian Zun." Hanging scroll: "The year meets Mid-Autumn, the moon is brighter. Chang'e dances in the clear wind in the Toad Palace. A precious moon hangs in the void, the Emperor's will and motherly heart are like a bright mirror. The wooden fish clearly chants the true scriptures, the zither sound coldly penetrates the water sound. The merit of sacrificing to the moon is inconceivable, the assembled Daoist congregation ensures peace. Incense offering to Miao Guo Su Yue Tian Zun."
 
 Master's prayer: "Humbly, the Mid-Autumn divine moon, the sky is clear and the air is fresh. Chiming opens the light, fairy maidens and musicians. Chang'e's dance posture, divine dragons bow to the moon. Divine wind inspires, flowing incense brushes dust. Purple mist emits radiance, crimson clouds spread across the sky. Three lights shine together, all heavens are bright. Rivers and seas are silent, mountains and peaks hide in smoke. Dragons and chi leap. Humans and gods rejoice, life and death share rest. All who worship the Moon Deity gain long life. Just one incense stick is picked, the precious name is proclaimed." Raise: "Miao Guo Su Yue Tian Zun." Outline: "The true heart pure and clear, the Dao is the root, like the precious moon in the mid-heavens. Cleanly sweep away the clouds of delusion without a speck of shadow, one round of light fills the great void." Master begins with "Three Treasures Chant Rhyme" followed by "Incantation of Blessing Incense" and "Incantation of Might": "Pure and bright moon, orchid wind breathes. Chang'e invites the moon, jade toad rings gold. Like gold in the furnace, like silk on the loom. Nine realms of jade are cut off, seven degrees hang in the void. Dividing emptiness to create scenes, gathering qi to construct heaven. Things nourish after numbers, transformation arises before images. Life follows the form turning, spirit resides in the scene transmitting. Descendants of today, admire the pure dust. We, your ministers, take refuge in the Dao, merging with the true Dao." Outline: "Respectfully facing the precious moon, requesting our positions."
 
 After the master states his position, he connects to the Holy Class: "Moon Mansion Taiyin, Jielin Huangjun, Baoguang Youzhao Rulai, Miao Guo Su Yue Tian Zun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Sumo Taiyin Tian Zun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Linghui Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Kunling Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Jinyao Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Jinbo Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Jinshu Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Yeguang Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Yinjing Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Dizi Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Heng'e Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Taisu Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Taikong Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Holy Moon, Taiming Taiyin Huangjun. Heavenly Palace Imperial, Wangshu Jixing Jun. Moon Palace Divine Rabbit, attained Dao Star True. Moon Palace Divine Toad, attained Dao Star Lord. Yanggu Mountain Surging Moon Attained Dao Star Lord. Xiliu Mountain Pavilion Moon Attained Dao Star Lord. Yuzhou Port Station Moon Attained Dao Star Lord. Moon Palace All Sages, all divine spirits. Relying entirely on true incense, universally offering together."
 
 Finished, the master reads the humble text: "Respectful ritual, clear wind brushes the face, true incense directly penetrates the Taiyin Mansion; bright moon proclaims the words, Dao's decree remains the supreme secret. Having the sacrificial moon and thanking sages memorial text, respectfully facing and spreading." Finished, rise "Taiyin Gao" followed by "Incense Flower Sending Rhyme", the supervisor burns the memorial, offers tea. The master returns to his position, strikes the clapper, performs a full bow, and dismisses the class.